VC UNIZIK Reaffirms Commitment to Staff Welfare as SSANU South East Zone Pays Courtesy Visit

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing staff welfare as members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), South East Zone, paid him a courtesy visit.

The visit took place on Thursday, 5th March 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor’s office, ahead of the 18th Regular Meeting of the Zonal Executive Council and Zonal Women Conference of SSANU, scheduled to hold at the university on Thursday, 5th and Friday, 6th March 2026.

Leading the delegation was the National Vice President of SSANU, South East Zone, Comrade Engineer Okey Animba, accompanied by other national, zonal, and branch officers of the union.

Speaking during the visit, Comrade Animba explained that the delegation came to formally inform the Vice-Chancellor that the South East Zonal Executive was in the university for its scheduled meeting, noting that it is customary for union leaders to pay courtesy visits to the Vice-Chancellor of the host institution.

He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for granting them audience and commended his administration for what he described as a union-friendly disposition, adding that feedback reaching the union indicates that the Vice-Chancellor has demonstrated goodwill toward staff and union activities within the university.

Comrade Animba particularly thanked the Vice-Chancellor for certain actions taken so far, including the restoration of some union members to their appropriate positions and placements. He also appealed to him to liaise with the Federal Government regarding the outstanding 25/35 percent salary arrears owed to university workers.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of SSANU, UNIZIK Branch, Comrade Anthonia Chukwudi, appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to address situations where non-teaching positions are allegedly occupied by individuals outside the appropriate cadre. She noted that correcting such irregularities would help sustain peace and industrial harmony within the university.

She also requested that union representatives be included in the committee reviewing the university’s staff conditions of service, stressing that such inclusion would promote fairness and ensure broader representation.

Comrade Chukwudi further commended the Vice-Chancellor for the openness, fairness, and magnanimity he has demonstrated since assuming office.

Also speaking, the Registrar of the University, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, advised the union to submit a formal proposal to the Council Committee on the Review of Staff Conditions of Service to address issues affecting its members.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor warmly welcomed the SSANU delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit. He noted that having served in different capacities across several universities in the South East, he possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and expectations within the Nigerian university system.

Prof. Anyaehie assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be carefully examined, especially those relating to the university’s conditions of service. He also pledged to investigate why the Directorate system has not been fully implemented in the university and determine the appropriate steps needed to address them.

Addressing the issue of the 25/35 percent salary arrears, Prof. Anyaehie assured the union that once the Federal Government releases funds for the payment, Nnamdi Azikiwe University would be among the first institutions to implement it, reiterating that staff welfare remains a top priority of his administration.

Members of the Vice-Chancellor’s team present during the visit included the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Okeke, and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. J.K. Emejulu.including 

Top members of the SSANU delegation 

.