DELAY IS NOT DENIAL FOR LONG WAITED UNPAID STAFF
UNIZIK Newly Payrolled Academic Staff Applaud VC Anyaehie for Ending Years of Employment Uncertainty
Newly payrolled academic staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), formerly affected by prolonged employment and payroll challenges, have expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Stanley Bond Anyaehie, for his intervention in resolving their long-standing concerns.
The staff, led by Dr. Kingsley Asogwa, paid an appreciation visit to the Vice-Chancellor in his office, where they commended the administration for facilitating their inclusion on the University payroll after years of uncertainty.
They described the development as a major milestone that had restored their sense of belonging, improved their financial stability and renewed their confidence in the institution.
Responding, Prof. Anyaehie said the appreciation reminded him of the importance of helping people, particularly when such interventions are undertaken within the limits of the law and established procedures.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the University administration remained committed to serving humanity and promoting staff welfare, but stressed that every decision must be guided by applicable laws, regulations and institutional processes.
He noted that while the administration was willing to assist staff with genuine concerns, it must also protect the University from decisions that could expose the institution to legal or administrative complications.
Prof. Anyaehie disclosed that his administration had recently considered cases involving staff who had been properly placed as far back as 2013, but whose expected career progression had not subsequently materialised.
He said such matters must be resolved on the basis of facts, proper documentation and verifiable records, stressing that claims of previous teaching or professional experience must be supported by credible evidence showing the nature of the employment, responsibilities performed and relevance of the experience to the position being sought.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that experience acquired in one sector could not automatically be regarded as equivalent to experience in another. He cited banking experience as an example, noting that it could not, without appropriate evidence of relevance, automatically be treated as university teaching experience.
He also referred to cases involving professionals who acquired higher qualifications but whose previous employment history did not correspond with the professional field in which they sought recognition.
According to him, while additional qualifications could strengthen an individual's case, they could not retrospectively establish professional or academic experience that was not actually acquired in the relevant field.
Prof. Anyaehie further disclosed that the University was reviewing cases involving staff who had served for extended periods without progression, including some personnel in the teaching hospital, with a view to ensuring that genuine cases received appropriate attention.
He assured the visiting staff that the administration would continue to explore every legitimate avenue to address genuine staff concerns, while maintaining fairness and adherence to established regulations.
“There are many things we would like to do for our people. But we must also consider the laws, regulations and procedures governing the University,” he said, adding that whenever there was a lawful means of assisting staff, the administration would pursue it.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the objective was not to deny anyone their legitimate rights but to ensure that decisions taken by the University were properly documented, defensible and in the overall interest of the institution and its workforce.
He thanked the newly payrolled academic staff for their gesture of appreciation and urged them to remain dedicated to their duties.
Prof. Anyaehie assured them that his administration would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at promoting fairness, institutional development and staff welfare, while ensuring strict compliance with the law and University regulations.
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