BIG STORY
FG Uncovers N1.2bn Fraud At FUTO, UNIABUJA; Vice-Chancellors In Trouble
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The Federal Government’s audit report has revealed irregularities of more than N1.2bn in 2015, 2016 and 2017 finances of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, and the University of Abuja.
The 2017 report from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation titled, ‘Auditor General’s Annual Report on the Accounts of the Federation of Nigeria 2017,’ showed that FUTO had more than N611m irregularities in its expenses between 2016 and 2017, while UNIABUJA had over N560m for 2015.
The report noted that the vice-chancellors of the universities during the years under review must be made to answer for the money unaccounted for.
For FUTO, the report highlighted about 10 areas where there were financial infractions between 2016 and 2017. These ranged from “payments without raising payment vouchers put at N43,543,129; payment of unapproved allowances put at N244,325,021, and payment to the contractor for jobs not done at N34,252,304.”
The report partly read, “During the periodic checks conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, for the period January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017, the following were observed; payments without raising payment vouchers – N43,543,129.34. Payments totalling N43,543,129.34 were made without raising payment vouchers, in violation of Financial Regulation 601 which provides that payment vouchers must be raised before any payment is made.
“Response from the university on the above issue failed to address the issue.
“The recommendation is that the vice-chancellor has been requested to account for the sum of N43,543,129. Also, sanctions stated in financial regulation 3106 should be imposed on the vice-chancellor.
“Also, the payment of unapproved allowances put at N244,325,021.26. It was observed from sampled payment vouchers that a total of N244,325,021.26 was paid to staff as allowances for recharge cards, council incentives, security shift, contract addition allowances, etc., from personnel cost between 2016 and 2017. Documents conveying approval for such payments from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission could not be made available during the periodic check.”
For the University of Abuja, the report noted that the institution had unaccounted payments put at N17,924,585; payment of unapproved allowances at N84,748,382, among other infractions.
The report added, “During the periodic checks of the University of Abuja, for the 2015 financial year, the following observations were made. One, unaccounted payments – N17, 924,585; 27 payment vouchers totalling N17,924,585 were paid to a staff of the university for printing services and jobs. The amount should have been made directly to the University Bookshop or University Printing Press rather than the personal account of the officer.
“However, there was no record of the utilisation of the various amounts collected by the payee in order to ascertain transparency, probity, and accountability of the transactions. Our recommendation is that the vice-chancellor is required to account for the sum of 17,924,585 and forward evidence to me for confirmation.
“Also, the payment of unapproved allowances is put at N84,748,382. Furthermore, there is a diversion of funds through a fictitious contract which is put at N23,921,250.”
A civil society, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, while reacting to the report, asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the universities and recover allegedly misused funds.
The PLSI Executive Director, Olusegun Elemo, said in a statement, “Anti-corruption agencies, particularly the ICPC and the EFCC, should investigate the transactions and recover the money and return it to the federal treasury.
“The university authorities should also ensure strict compliance with relevant fiscal provisions and procurement laws in the implementation of new contracts.”
When asked for comment, spokeswoman for FUTO, Mrs Uche Nwaelue, asked our correspondent to forward to her a copy of the report, while promising to get back to our correspondent.
However, she had yet to get back to our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
Punch
The Gusau International Airport (GIA) in Zamfara State has passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) quality assurance tests and inspections ahead of the commencement of commercial operations next month.
The development comes as the airport prepares to begin scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to a statement by the state government on Tuesday, XEJet Limited is expected to operate bi-weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays from the first week of October.
An official of a leading Nigerian aviation agency said the airport’s instrument flight procedures had undergone ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance and approval process, with GIA completing and passing all the stages.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said the process was part of Nigeria’s efforts to implement corrective measures recommended by ICAO.
ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating international air navigation standards and promoting the safe and orderly development of international air transport.
Nigeria’s civil aviation system recorded an effective implementation (EI) score of 75 percent after an ICAO audit in 2023.
The official said ICAO conducted a follow-up inspection, known as the ICAO coordinated validation mission (ICVM), in April 2026, during which Nigeria had a significant safety concern (SSC).
He said the concern was resolved within the prescribed 40-day period, although Nigeria was required to implement associated medium-term corrective action plans.
As part of the corrective measures, the instrument flight procedures at several Nigerian airports were subjected to ICAO’s 17-step quality assurance and approval process.
“Of all the airports assessed, only Gusau International Airport (GIA) completed and passed all the 17 steps,” the senior aviation official said.
“The evidence of GIA’s successful completion of this demanding process formed part of the documentation submitted to ICAO.
“Following the ICVM, Nigeria achieved an impressive EI score of 95.1%.”
On September 21, the Zamfara government signed an air route development partnership agreement with XEJet for scheduled commercial flights between Gusau and Abuja.
The agreement is expected to enhance access to Zamfara and open greater opportunities for investors, businesses, and visitors.
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos after ending his working vacation in France.
The President arrived at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Tuesday, where Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries were on hand to receive him.
The President’s arrival was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who posted on X, “Landing. Welcome home, Mr President!”
Tinubu had departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending one week in London before travelling to Paris.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu departed Paris for Lagos, where he is expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose to travel to Lagos first to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
On October 1, Independence Day, the President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Tinubu’s working vacation also included a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Details later…
The United States has commended Nigeria’s response to recent attacks in the Middle Belt.
The US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, in an X post on Tuesday, also urged the federal government to sustain efforts to protect communities in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
“The United States commends Nigeria’s strong response to the latest attacks from Fulani militant groups,” the bureau said.
“We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to protect Christians in the Middle Belt.
“We urge Nigeria to continue the momentum and defend the Barkin Ladi communities in particular.”
Nigeria’s Middle Belt, particularly the north-central region comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, among others, has witnessed varying levels of armed attacks, kidnapping, communal violence and farmer-herder conflicts in recent months.
The US comment comes amid renewed insecurity in parts of the country, particularly among communities in Barkin Ladi, where a series of attacks and reprisals have been reported in recent months.
On September 27, six people were killed and two others injured after gunmen attacked a mining site in Lajam Marit village, Ropp district, Barkin Ladi.
The victims were reportedly shot dead at the site, while the two injured persons were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Five days earlier, the Plateau government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs following a series of attacks, attempted attacks and reprisals. Residents were ordered to remain indoors between 6 pm and 6 am until further notice.
The curfew followed an incident in which a resident, Andy Samuel, a priest, was reportedly shot dead at Marit Junction, while another person sustained injuries.
Troops later came under attack after leaving the hospital, with the assailants suspected of carrying out retaliatory strikes following earlier violence in parts of Barkin Ladi.
On September 20, at least five Fulani men were reportedly killed after suspected Berom militias attacked their vehicle in Barkin Ladi.
The victims were travelling to a market in Jos South when their vehicle came under attack near a security checkpoint. The assailants reportedly opened fire, killing all five occupants.
On September 10, two people were killed after suspected armed militia attacked Fulani herders along the Jong-Nyeriwei road and in Dorowa Babuje community, also in Barkin Ladi.
One of the victims was identified as 19-year-old Ishaku Yakubu, while another man, identified as Andata, was reportedly shot dead around Marit Junction in Dorowa Babuje. Several cattle were also reportedly rustled during the attacks.
The attacks have heightened security concerns in Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau, with authorities deploying troops and imposing restrictions in some affected areas to prevent further violence and reprisals.
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