Enugu varsity sacks 153 lecturers

olamide oni

November 24, 2015 9:23 AM

Enugu State University of Technology, ESUT, Enugu has reportedly sacked 153 lecturers.

ESUT entrance

Enugu State University of Technology, ESUT, Enugu has reportedly sacked 153 lecturers.

According to reports, no reasons for the dismissal have been given by the management, although sources disclosed that the dismissal cut across various departments in the institution.

One of the sack letters obtained by Vanguard said, "I am directed to inform you and you are hereby informed that the university is presently not positioned to employ you.

“You should, therefore, hand over any university property in your possession to the Head of Department. If, however, your services are required in the future by the university, you will be informed accordingly.”

Some of the dismissed lecturers, who formed a group called, ‘Disengaged Members of Staff of ESUT', expressed their bitterness, adding that it was unfair for the University to employ them for the sake of getting accredited by the National Universities Commission, NUC, then relieving them of their duties once this was achieved.

“In spite of the huge debts we have incurred in the process of living up to our responsibilities and keeping our jobs, no salary was paid to any of us between February and this month when we were employed,” they said.

“The fruit of our employment have been felt in the vacuum we filled in classes and other academic exercises, but most evidently, we were used to get full NUC accreditation for many departments in the university,” they added.

The ex-staff said: “Since our employment, we have discharged our academic duties diligently, which included lecturing, invigilating during examinations, marking of quizzes and examinations scripts, and preparation of results, as well as taking active part in June 2015 accreditation exercise.”

The aggrieved staff also stated that the matter has been reported to the Governor of Enugu state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, but they have not received a response.

“The management of ESUT has decided to use the school as a fertile ground for politics as against an institution where teaching, and other academic functions thrive,” they added.

olamide oni