Rivers State Government Sacks 1,700 University Staff over Employment Irregularities

The Rivers State Government has issued termination of appointment letters to 1,700 university staff members at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, citing inconsistencies and irregularities in the employment process as the reasons behind the massive layoffs.

The affected staff, consisting of lecturers, administrative personnel, and support staff, received the unexpected news today and have been requested to return their appointment letters and identification cards to the institution.

Although the employment exercise was hurriedly conducted towards the end of the past administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, the new government of Governor Sir Siminialaye Fubara, who took office two months ago, announced the cancellation of the entire employment exercise that was carried out at the institution through a Public Announcement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, dated 13th July.

The statement read, “the state government expressed disappointment over the inconsistencies and flagrant disobedience to directives observed during the recruitment process at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.”

The termination of appointment has left the academic community in Rivers State in a state of disbelief and uncertainty. Many of the affected staff members had been diligently serving the university for several months, and the sudden termination of their employment has raised concerns about their livelihoods and the quality of education at the institution.

The decision by the Rivers State Government to nullify the employment exercise has been met with mixed reactions. While some argue that irregularities in the recruitment process warrant corrective action, others question the timing and manner in which the dismissals were executed, leaving employees with little time to prepare for the sudden job loss.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, in the Public Announcement, noted that the employment exercise at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education lacked the required standard set by the government, leading to its invalidation. He further emphasized that the affected individuals must return all employment-related properties, including appointment letters and identification cards, to the relevant offices.

As the situation unfolds, the academic community, the state government, and relevant stakeholders are expected to engage in dialogues and negotiations to find a resolution that balances the need for accountability in the recruitment process while addressing the hardships faced by the dismissed university staff members.