By Divine Sam
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Prof. Hassan Ibrahim, has accused members of the National Assembly of demanding bribes from universities during oversight visits. Speaking at an annual lecture at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, he criticized politicians for using their oversight roles for personal gain, often asking universities for substantial kickbacks, which he deemed unethical.
Ibrahim noted that the pressure to pay bribes compromises the integrity of the university system and cited a lack of transparency and accountability among accountants as a contributing factor. He emphasized that adherence to ethical standards in financial management could reduce such corrupt practices.
He called for innovative financial strategies, including diversifying revenue streams and enhancing internal controls, to help universities navigate financial challenges. The VC of FUT Minna, represented by Prof. Mohammed Abdullahi, echoed the importance of training financial staff to improve efficiency and accountability, while the Bursar highlighted the ongoing challenges universities face amid rising inflation and limited resources.