Coal City University, Enugu, has dismissed reports of a workers’ strike and unpaid salaries, insisting that academic and administrative activities remain uninterrupted while an independent committee investigates a recent incident involving a student and university personnel.
Coal City University, Enugu, has dismissed reports alleging that academic activities were disrupted by a workers’ strike, describing the claims as false, misleading and inconsistent with the realities on campus.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Afam Ituma, made the clarification on Monday while responding to media reports and public reactions surrounding a recent viral video involving a student and a staff member of the university.
According to Ituma, the reports stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 10 at a hostel within the university premises involving a student and some university personnel.
He explained that the university promptly activated its internal disciplinary mechanisms after receiving reports of the incident, including the suspension of the student and staff members directly involved pending the outcome of investigations.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that management also constituted an independent review committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit recommendations for appropriate action.
“Contrary to public speculation, the university had already taken decisive administrative action before the matter gained media attention. The suggestion that management acted in response to media reports is incorrect,” he stated.
Ituma expressed concern over what he described as unverified and hurried reporting by some media organisations, noting that several publications contained inaccuracies capable of creating false impressions about the institution.
“Public confidence remains one of the most valuable assets of any educational institution. It is our responsibility to ensure that verified facts guide public understanding, not speculation,” he said.
He revealed that the review committee had been given 14 days to conclude its assignment and submit its findings, after which the university management would take appropriate decisions based on the recommendations.
Addressing claims that university workers had embarked on strike action, the Vice-Chancellor firmly denied the allegations, stressing that academic and administrative operations were continuing without disruption.
“The allegation that staff salaries have not been paid for up to six months and that staff are on strike is completely false. Coal City University has a stable academic calendar, does not owe staff salaries, and continues to provide quality education to its students,” Ituma said.
He maintained that the institution operates under stable governance structures and uninterrupted administrative processes, making reports of a strike unfounded.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the university had initiated a broader review of policies relating to student welfare, staff conduct, campus safety, conflict resolution and grievance management as part of efforts to strengthen institutional safeguards and align with global best practices.
Reaffirming the university’s commitment to fairness and due process, Ituma noted that although the student involved in the incident was a beneficiary of the institution’s scholarship programme, such status would not influence disciplinary proceedings.
He also highlighted recent achievements recorded by the university in academic programme expansion, quality assurance, digital transformation, infrastructure development and strategic industry partnerships aimed at improving graduate employability and innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor assured parents, students and other stakeholders that the university remains committed to its core mandate of teaching, research, innovation and community service while maintaining high standards of accountability and institutional excellence.
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