UNIABUJA VC tasks varsities on increased research activities

The Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Michael Adikwu, has charged universities in the country to step up their research activities as part of steps aimed at diversifying the internally generated revenue and contribute to national development.

Adikwu, who made the call in Abuja while briefing journalists  as part of activities to mark his two years in office as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, also disclosed that the shortfall in salaries of staff was because of the reduction of the institution’s yearly allocation by the Federal Government.

Adikwu said the university last received N366 million from the Federal Government and that in 2016, it received N308 million, saying it is the difference that is causing the shortfalls.

The Vice Chancellor, who debunked that the varsity is owing staff salaries, said: “The Federal Government is now giving us less money than we were given last. What they gave to us is what we used to pay and it is not that we pay installmentally. It is only one month that we pay a fraction, we are able to pay 86 per cent.”

He, however, noted that it is a national issue and not peculiar to University of Abuja alone and that the institution has been consistent in paying salaries. The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that the Federal Government has assured the institutions that it would calculate the shortfalls and pay to the universities.

Speaking on his feat in the last two years as the Vice Chancellor of UNIABUJA, Adikwu noted that aside the progress made so far in the development of physical structures that have aided in the accreditation of some of the courses of the institution, the university has also enjoyed stable academic calendar since he came on board.

Staff promotion and improved welfare conditions, according to him, has remained progressive in the past two years compared to what it used to be, saying it is done as at when due.

The Vice Chancellor also noted that in dealing with the current challenges facing the institution, being finance, the university is working in line with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to generate money outside what the government gives.