Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has said his administration resolved over 100 litigations inherited on assumption of office, restoring peace and stability to the university without victimising any staff member.
Speaking with journalists ahead of the expiration of his tenure on 28 February 2026, Prof. Iwe said the legal disputes, many of which had lingered for years, were amicably settled, leading to the withdrawal of cases from court and ushering in what he described as “palpable peace” on campus.
“I inherited more than 100 litigations filed against the university, which I resolved, and the litigants withdrew their cases from the courts. Today, nobody is quarrelling again,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office on 1 March 2021, explained that his leadership philosophy was anchored on strict adherence to university laws, collective decision-making, and prompt administrative response.
“Nothing that came to my table lasted more than one night. You bring your paper today; the next day, you get my response. I have not owed anybody anything, nor have I stepped on any toes,” he said, adding that long-standing promotion arrears were cleared and procedural irregularities regularised.
Responding to allegations
Prof. Iwe also reacted to recent online media reports alleging financial impropriety, including claims that the university illegally expended ₦5 billion and failed to remit ₦578 million in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between 2021 and 2022.
Describing the reports as misleading, he argued that the figures did not align with the realities of the period, which coincided with the COVID-19 aftermath and an eight-month nationwide university strike.
“There was no activity in the university that could have generated such IGR. In 2021, the world was just coming out of COVID-19. In 2022, universities were on strike for eight months. Nobody was producing crops, animals, or trading,” he said.
He further reiterated the position of Nigerian vice-chancellors that student charges should not be classified as IGR, as they are tied strictly to service delivery.
According to him, the allegations were an attempt to “stitch together unrelated information” to portray his administration as culpable for actions that predated his tenure.
Vehicle procurement controversy
Addressing another report alleging plans to spend ₦252 million on vehicles for the Pro-Chancellor and others shortly before his exit, Prof. Iwe clarified that the provision was captured in the 2025 budget, prepared in 2024, and had not been released or spent.
“Procurement is not a one-day affair or a one-man decision. There are layers of approvals—from the University Procurement Planning Committee to the Tenders Board and, where necessary, the Ministerial Tenders Board,” he explained.
He stressed that neither the 2024 nor 2025 appropriations had been released, making the allegation of reckless spending unfounded.
Achievements and reforms
Reflecting on his tenure, Prof. Iwe highlighted major reforms, including the digitalisation of the Bursary Department, Library, Senate proceedings, and transcript processing, which he said eliminated delays and sharp practices.
He also cited the establishment of a biometric student database, expansion to a new permanent campus at Olori, and the introduction of new academic programmes such as Food Engineering, Embedded Artificial Intelligence, and Mechatronics.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the university now enjoys 24-hour electricity following the completion of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Project (EEP) solar power initiative.
According to him, recent admissions also recorded a significant boost, with over 1,500 additional students admitted in the last cycle.
Looking ahead
With less than two months to the end of his tenure, Prof. Iwe said the process of appointing a successor remains within the statutory timeline and is entirely the responsibility of the Governing Council.
“I gave my life to the service of the University and am proud of the progress we have made,” he said, adding that he intends to take a rest after leaving office.
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