VC UNIZIK Says “Staff Welfare a Top Priority” as SSANU South East Zone Pays Courtesy Call.
In preparation for the 18th Regular Meeting of the Zonal Executive Council and Zonal Women Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the South East Zonal Administrative Committee and Zonal Executive Council paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, in his office on Thursday, 5th March 2026.
The meeting precedes the two-day conference scheduled to be held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University on Thursday, 5th, and Friday, 6th March 2026.
The delegation was led by the National Vice President of SSANU, South East Zone, Comrade Engineer Okey Animba, who was accompanied by other national, zonal, and branch officers of the union.
Speaking during the visit, Comrade Animba stated that the delegation came to formally inform the Vice-Chancellor that the South East Zone executive was in the university for their scheduled meeting, noting that it is customary for the union leadership to pay courtesy visits to the host institution’s Vice-Chancellor.
He expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for granting them an audience and commended him for what he described as his union-friendly disposition. According to him, reports reaching the union indicate that the Vice-Chancellor has demonstrated goodwill towards staff and unions within the university.
Comrade Animba specifically thanked the Vice-Chancellor for some notable actions he has taken, including restoring certain union members to their appropriate positions and placements. He also appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to liaise with the Federal Government regarding the outstanding 25/35 percent salary arrears owed to university workers.
In her remarks, the SSANU UNIZIK Branch Chairperson, Comrade Anthonia Chukwudi, appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to address cases where non-teaching positions are allegedly being occupied by individuals outside the appropriate cadre, stressing that rectifying such issues would help maintain peace and industrial harmony in the university.
She further requested that union leaders be included in the committee responsible for reviewing staff conditions of service, emphasizing that such inclusion would ensure fairness and broader representation.
Comrade Chukwudi also commended the Vice-Chancellor for the magnanimity, openness, and sense of fairness he has demonstrated in administering the affairs of the university since assuming office.
The Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, while speaking, called on the Union to present a proposal to the Council Committee on the Review of Staff Conditions of Service, with a view to addressing issues affecting its members.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor expressed his pleasure at receiving the SSANU delegation and welcomed them warmly to Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Prof. Anyaehie noted that he had worked in various capacities across several universities in the South East, giving him a deep understanding of the challenges and expectations within the Nigerian university system.
Addressing the issues raised by the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor assured them that he would carefully examine the concerns presented, particularly those that align with the university’s conditions of service.
He also pledged to investigate why the Directorate system has not been fully implemented in UNIZIK and to determine what steps could be taken to address the situation.
On the issue of usurpation of positions, Prof. Anyaehie reiterated that his administration would strictly adhere to the provisions of the university’s conditions of service in resolving such matters.
Regarding the 25/35 percent salary arrears, the Vice-Chancellor assured the delegation that once the Federal Government releases funds for the payment, Nnamdi Azikiwe University would be among the first institutions to implement the payment, emphasizing that staff welfare remains a top priority of his administration.
Members of the Vice-Chancellor’s team during the visit included the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Okeke, and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. J.K. Emejulu.
Also present in the SSANU delegation were the National Treasurer, Comrade Sir Uche Nwokeji, the National Women Coordinator, Comrade Basil Ijeoma Kalu, the National Internal Auditor, Comrade Timnan Rimdap, the SSANU UNIZIK Branch Chairperson, Comrade Anthonia Chukwudi, as well as other zonal and branch officers from about thirteen universities, mostly within the South East zone.
The visit further underscored the importance of constructive engagement between university management and staff unions, particularly in promoting industrial harmony, staff welfare, and the overall development of the Nigerian university system.