It has come to the attention of concerned stakeholders that Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, under the leadership of the Dan Orbih-led Governing Council and the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Olowo, is experiencing severe institutional decline and administrative dysfunction.
The academic calendar for the first semester, originally scheduled to span three months, has inexplicably been extended to over five months. According to credible sources among senior academic and non-academic staff—who have chosen to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation—this extension reflects a blatant disregard for academic standards and institutional excellence. Such a development compromises the academic integrity of the University and threatens its financial sustainability.
More troubling are allegations that the Acting Vice-Chancellor unlawfully leaked confidential documents related to a particular candidate to the media. This action appears to be a calculated attempt to consolidate power and raises serious concerns regarding adherence to due process, transparency, and the confidentiality obligations inherent in public office.
Furthermore, credible internal sources report that, shortly after assuming office—through a selection process widely perceived to have been manipulated by the Governing Council—the Acting Vice-Chancellor approved international travel for Dr. Peter Imawagbele, the University Auditor appointed by Dan Orbih, to attend a conference in Nairobi at an allegedly exorbitant cost running into millions of naira. This expenditure was reportedly approved without the requisite authorization, constituting a breach of financial due process and a pattern of fiscal indiscipline.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor is also alleged to have exceeded his statutory powers by unilaterally approving expenditures for items such as generators, diesel, and non-essential travel allowances—actions that fall outside the scope of his official mandate. Specifically, the approval of two million naira for the Auditor’s “official tour” of three universities in neighboring states, and a further three million naira allocated to the newly imposed Bursar by Dan Orbih—who is alleged to be a relative of the Council Chairman—raise serious concerns about financial impropriety, conflict of interest, and nepotism within the University’s administration.
Mr. Peter Imawagbele, who was appointed by the University Council led by Dan Orbih, reportedly colluded with the former administration to withdraw University funds and was involved in contract duplications. A panel of inquiry recommended that he refund the sum of ₦1,573,987.82 to University Account No. 1005006190, as attached to this publication. This is the same individual who was appointed to the audit position—a position that was never publicly advertised. Where is the integrity of this council stack holder queried? , or are they trying to use him to replicate the same process.
It has also come to our attention that Professor Olowo has been independently authorizing travel allowances for himself over the past two months without the knowledge or approval of the relevant oversight authorities. His unexplained absence from the University premises since last Wednesday has further contributed to an atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty among staff and stakeholders. There is growing concern that the Vice-Chancellor’s financial dealings with the Auditor and Bursar may be part of a deliberate scheme to misappropriate University resources.
Moreover, there are credible reports that members of the University Governing Council are awarding contracts funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to companies in which they have vested interests, without proper consultation or adherence to standard procurement procedures. This practice grossly undermines the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness, and constitutes a violation of public trust.
Additionally, the Acting Vice-Chancellor’s and Council recent proposal to renovate a non-existent Pro-Chancellor’s lodge at an estimated cost of forty-five million naira not only exceeds his financial approval limit but also concerns a questionable project, further compounding allegations of mismanagement and impropriety.
Of further concern is the appointment of the University Librarian. Qualified internal staff of the oldest state university were overlooked in favor of an external candidate from Ekiti State—an appointment made by the de facto Council without due consideration of merit or institutional legacy.
In light of these alarming developments, we respectfully call upon the Visitor to the University—His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State—to exercise his constitutional powers and intervene decisively to halt these acts of mismanagement and corruption. It is imperative that the governance of Ambrose Alli University be redirected toward transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of academic excellence in the interest of the institution, its students, and the people of Edo State.
Your Excellency, we acknowledge and commend your genuine efforts to reposition the University. However, we must express in clear terms that the current Governing Council and Management team are threatening to undermine the very progress you have worked so diligently to initiate. The stakeholders of this great institution respectfully urge you to act swiftly to stop the actions of these alleged corrupt officials and restore integrity to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Osazuwa Efosa
