It has been resolved by the House of Representatives Committee on University Education to conduct a forensic investigation into the financial activities of various universities including the University of Calabar in Cross State, University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurum, Delta State, and Federal University Uyo in Akwa Ibom State. This decision was made due to the inconsistencies noted in their submissions during the committee’s oversight visit to universities in the South-South Region.
Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, made this announcement following the committee’s visit to the universities to assess their performance. He emphasized that the forensic examination is crucial given the discrepancies and irreconcilable data observed in the documents presented to the committee.
Additional universities that were visited and are set for further investigation include Federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State and Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko in Warri South, Delta State.
The committee advised newly established universities to learn from the mistakes of older institutions in terms of compliance with federal character principles and proper appropriation of internally generated revenue.
Universities such as the Federal University of Medical Health Science in Kwale, Delta State, and the Federal University of Technology in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State were specifically mentioned in this regard.
Fulata stated that despite facing challenges such as logistics and transportation costs, as well as the condition of roads and waterways, the committee remains resolute in its mission to bring about positive change.
He shared an experience of the committee’s travels, including a journey by speed boat to Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko located near the Atlantic Ocean. This demonstrated the dedication of the committee members to fulfill their oversight duties effectively.
One of the committee members, Victor Afam Ogene, emphasized the importance of understanding the roles of legislators in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, highlighting that their actions are not motivated by witch-hunting but by the need for accountability.
Furthermore, Blessing Amadi, another committee member, urged university management to prioritize student affairs over other expenditures, stressing the significance of allocating resources to areas that directly benefit the students.