It will go down in history that Usman Ododo of Kogi Central, alongside Wemi Jones, the three-time Commissioner for Education from Kogi West, have allegedly conspired to weaken and ultimately destroy Prince Abubakar Audu University (formerly Kogi State University), Anyigba.
This alleged conspiracy traces back to 2019 under the leadership of former Governor Yahaya Bello. With the involvement of his Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, strategic efforts were reportedly made to reduce the university to a shadow of its former self. Regrettably, Wemi Jones has continued in his position as Commissioner for the third consecutive term, furthering this alleged plan to lower the institution’s standards.
The university has faced a massive exodus of talented lecturers to other institutions within Nigeria, and the trend continues unabated. The primary cause is the refusal of the state government to implement promotions for academic staff.
Since 2019, lecturers have received promotions on paper for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, but these promotions have not been implemented financially. For instance, a Lecturer II promoted to Lecturer I in 2019 still earns the same salary as before the promotion. This stagnation has led to widespread dissatisfaction among staff members, forcing many to leave for greener pastures.
A glaring example of this disparity is seen in the newly established universities within Kogi State. Lecturers who move to these institutions receive their deserved promotions and earn significantly higher salaries, often exceeding those in Anyigba by over ₦200,000. This disparity creates a clear incentive for academic staff to leave Prince Abubakar Audu University, further crippling the institution.
Some of us have chosen to speak out—not because we are staff members of the institution, but to ensure that these injustices are recorded for posterity. While some have been hired to defend this neglect and discredit those exposing it, the facts remain undeniable.
The individuals currently accused of orchestrating and implementing this alleged agenda include Wemi Jones and Usman Ododo. Despite repeated appeals from the appropriate quarters, including five official communications to the state government, no action has been taken. The pattern suggests an intentional plan to degrade the institution in Anyigba.
Call to Action
It is essential to bring these issues to light for the sake of accountability and the future of education in Kogi State. If this neglect continues unchecked, Prince Abubakar Audu University risks losing its relevance and academic integrity, to the detriment of students, staff, and the larger Kogi community.
