The management of Ambrose Alli University (AU), Ekpoma, and the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disagreed on Friday regarding the N500 million monthly subvention to the university.
The party claimed that no money has been released since Governor Monday Okpebholo pledged to increase the subvention from N45 million to N500 million in November of last year. In addition, the party claimed that university employees were not receiving their paychecks as promised by Okpebholo.
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee made this claim in a press release, saying, “Senator Monday Okpebholo has failed to redeem his N500m monthly subvention pledge to the state-owned varsity, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), for the third consecutive month.”
“Senator Okpebholo had opposed the restructuring of AAU by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, which aimed at ensuring the university’s financial self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability, and in a desperate bid to score cheap political points, promised a N500 million monthly subvention to the institution.”
“However, three months after Okpebholo’s grandstanding, not a single kobo has been disbursed to the university as subvention.”
“We are also aware that, as of today, March 7th, 2025, the staff and management of the state-owned university have not been paid their February salaries.”
“There is no truth in the author’s claims,” stated Otunba Mike Aladenika, the Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Information and Public Relations at AAU, in response to the accusation. It is reasonable to assume that the author used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain information from pertinent government agencies.
“Governor Okpebholo’s administration has kept its promise regarding the N500 million monthly subvention. Despite the pronouncement being made mid-November 2025, the Governor ensured full payment for that month. Since then, the University has consistently received the monthly subvention.”
“We’ve been paid up to date, with no outstanding salaries. The February salary was paid today, March 7. The delay was due to technical issues, now resolved.”
“It is also pertinent to note that, contrary to the author’s views, the recall of sacked and victimized staff was done in good faith to correct past injustices at the University. Notably, none of the staff members reinstated were accused, tried, and found guilty of ‘sex for marks.’
