Coal City University, Enugu, has strongly denied allegations of unpaid staff salaries and a purported six-month industrial action by its employees, describing the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the institution’s reputation.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Afam Ituma, made the clarification on Monday during a press conference held at the university’s campus in Enugu, where he addressed recent reports concerning the institution.
Refuting the allegations, Ituma stated that staff salaries have been paid consistently and that the university has no outstanding salary obligations to its workforce.
“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,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor further stressed that the institution had never experienced a strike action since its establishment.
“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 added.
Addressing a June 10 incident involving members of the university community, Ituma said management acted promptly by suspending the staff member and students directly involved before reports of the matter surfaced in the media.
According to him, a Review Committee was immediately constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend appropriate actions.
“Any suggestion that the university’s response was reactionary or prompted by external pressure is inaccurate,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the student at the centre of the controversy was a beneficiary of the university’s scholarship programme, a reflection of the institution’s commitment to expanding access to quality higher education.
However, he emphasised that the student’s scholarship status would not influence the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
“The Review Committee has been mandated to examine the matter objectively and submit its recommendations to management,” Ituma stated.
As part of efforts to strengthen institutional governance, the university is also reviewing policies relating to student welfare, staff conduct, conflict resolution and campus safety.
On the institution’s academic standing, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that all 26 academic programmes offered by Coal City University have received the necessary approvals and accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He noted that the university remains fully operational, with academic, research and administrative activities continuing without interruption.
“The university continues to strengthen its academic programmes, quality assurance systems, learning facilities, industry partnerships and student-support initiatives,” he said.
Ituma urged students, parents, alumni and members of the public to rely on information disseminated through the university’s official communication channels.
He also called on media organisations to uphold professional standards by verifying facts and presenting balanced reports before publishing allegations capable of affecting the reputation of institutions.
“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.
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