Coal City varsity denies salary arrears, staff strike

Coal City University, Enugu, has dismissed allegations of unpaid staff salaries and a prolonged staff strike as “false, misleading and capable of damaging the university’s reputation.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Afam Ituma, stated this on Monday during a press conference held at the institution’s campus in Enugu.

Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor refuted allegations that the institution owed staff salaries or had experienced a six-month strike by employees.

He said, “The University categorically refutes the allegations of non-payment of staff salaries and the alleged six-month staff strike arising therefrom. Staff salaries have been paid consistently, and the university does not owe its employees any salary arrears.

“Furthermore, there has never been any staff strike action in the history of the University.

These allegations are entirely false, misleading, and devoid of any factual basis.”

He also addressed a June 10 incident involving some members of the university community, stating that the institution had taken action before reports of the matter appeared in the media.

According to him, the university promptly suspended the staff member and students directly involved and constituted a Review Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Any suggestion that the University’s response was reactionary or prompted by external pressure is inaccurate,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the student at the centre of the controversy was a beneficiary of the university’s scholarship programme, reflecting the institution’s commitment to expanding access to higher education.

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He, however, maintained that the student’s status would not influence the outcome of the investigation.

“The Review Committee has been mandated to examine the matter objectively and submit its recommendations to Management,” Ituma said.

He added that the university was also undertaking a broader review of policies relating to student welfare, staff conduct, conflict resolution and campus safety as part of efforts to strengthen institutional governance.

Speaking on the university’s academic standing, Ituma said all 26 academic programmes offered by the institution had received the necessary approvals and accreditation from the National Universities Commission.

He stated that the university remained fully operational, with academic, research and administrative activities continuing without disruption.

“The University continues to strengthen its academic programmes, quality assurance systems, learning facilities, industry partnerships, and student-support initiatives,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor urged members of the public, students, parents, alumni and other stakeholders to rely on information released through the university’s official communication channels.

He also called on media organisations to uphold professional standards by ensuring proper verification of facts and presenting all sides of contentious issues before publication.

“The University Management is concerned that allegations capable of damaging the reputation of the University were published without adequate verification, and without a fair presentation of the University’s position,” he said.