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Benue State University, Makurdi, a once-proud citadel of learning, is teetering on the brink of collapse due to severe challenges threatening its stability and academic excellence. At the heart of the crisis is Governor Hyacinth Alia, who has been accused of neglecting staff welfare and mismanaging university resources.
Reports highlight the governor’s alleged refusal to implement the new minimum wage for university staff, alongside his failure to pay the already approved 25% and 35% wage awards. This has exacerbated an ongoing backlog of promotion arrears, leaving staff frustrated and demoralized. Additionally, fresh allegations suggest the governor is diverting TETFund projects originally meant for the main campus in Makurdi to the under-construction Adikpo Campus, sparking further controversy.
The redirection of TETFund projects to the Engineering Campus in Adikpo is seen as an attempt to portray the Adikpo Campus as a Benue State Government initiative. However, it is the Federal Government, through TETFund, that is funding the ongoing construction. While the expansion of educational facilities is commendable, concerns have been raised over the proximity of Adikpo to Ihugh, where the governor is also establishing a new university. Critics view this as a misplaced priority that could drain resources and weaken the already struggling Benue State University.
If urgent steps are not taken to address these issues, restore staff morale, and ensure transparency in project implementation, the university risks losing its academic credibility and the confidence of its stakeholders. Alumni and concerned citizens are calling for immediate action to safeguard the institution’s future.
Source: Asom D Jerry, an alumnus of Benue State University Makurdi.
