The Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola, Professor Ibrahim Umar, has dismissed claims by a contract professor, Martins Fabunmi, that the institution underpaid him over ₦4 million during his one-year appointment.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Umar described the allegation as unfounded, insisting that Fabunmi willingly accepted the terms of his contract and was paid in line with a management-approved remuneration structure applicable to all contract staff.
Fabunmi, a professor in the Department of Education Foundations, had alleged that the university shortchanged him to the tune of ₦4,024,168.70 in salaries and Teaching Practice supervision allowances for the 2024/2025 academic session. His claims included monthly salary shortfalls between January and October 2025, deductions in November and December 2024, as well as unpaid Teaching Practice honorarium.
In a petition addressed to the university management, Fabunmi said the alleged deductions caused him hardship and informed his decision not to renew his contract, while requesting a refund of the disputed amounts.
However, in a response dated November 5, 2025, and signed by the Senior Assistant Registrar, Establishments (Academic Matters), Nicholas Izehi, the university stated that the payments were not made in error. According to the letter, MAU had reviewed the remuneration of all contract staff, with salaries adjusted to 60 per cent of the previous rate, effective January 2025.
Addressing the matter, Umar said the policy decision applied uniformly to all contract staff and did not amount to underpayment or breach of contract.
“He was given an employment letter, which he accepted and signed. By accepting the offer, he agreed to all the conditions stated in the letter,” the VC said. “He worked for one year, was paid for one year, and there is nothing like underpayment.”
Umar further explained that Fabunmi was placed on the professor salary level, Step 1, consistent with what was offered to other contract professors, adding that the university also provided him with free accommodation throughout his contract period.
“He stayed for one year without paying for accommodation, electricity or water. These were additional considerations given to him,” Umar said, noting that Fabunmi was just one of over 2,000 staff members of the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor also criticised the decision to take the issue to the media, advising the aggrieved professor to explore established administrative and legal channels for redress.
“There are procedures in the civil service. There is management, council, the Federal Complaints Commission, and even the courts. These are the appropriate channels for complaints,” Umar added.
The university maintained that its actions were in line with institutional policy and that no staff member was singled out in the implementation of the revised remuneration structure.
