Federal Poly Staff cry out over unpaid salary, seek FG’s intervention.

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Over 300 staff members of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, who claim to have been employed for more than two years without being payrolled, have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene in their plight.

In an unsigned press release made available to DAILY POST, the affected staff—who chose to remain anonymous for fear of victimization—said they were issued appointment letters and assigned duty posts in 2023, yet salaries have not been paid since then.

“Despite receiving appointment letters and being posted to various duty posts, we have not received salaries for over two years,” the statement read.

The workers, drawn from almost all tribes in Nigeria, expressed frustration over what they described as unbearable hardship. “The frustration and desperation we are going through in these harsh economic conditions is immense. We are appealing to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, and the National Assembly to intervene in our situation because the management of the polytechnic has been selective in payrolling and confirming some employees while ignoring others with the same appointment letters,” they added.

The group also questioned the basis for the payroll and confirmation of some staff while others remained excluded, alleging that favoritism and discrimination may be at play. They listed their grievances to include: employing staff without payment for over two years, selective confirmation of some employees, and doubts about the authenticity of their appointment letters. They further wondered why the institution would recruit new staff while neglecting existing employees.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Oko Polytechnic, Mr. Chijioke Ibeziako, dismissed the allegations of selective confirmation, insisting that the controversy stems from an irregular recruitment exercise conducted in 2023 under the administration of former Rector, Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo

“For the avoidance of doubt, this matter stems from an irregular recruitment exercise conducted in 2023 under the past administration of the polytechnic led by Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo,” Ibeziako said.

“The Federal Government, through its relevant agencies, approved the recruitment of 136 staff only. Unfortunately, that administration went beyond the approved figure and unduly recruited more persons than were authorised. In strict compliance with extant rules, only those within the approved quota were duly captured on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and were payrolled by the Federal Government during the tenure of the said administration. Those recruited outside the approved quota could not be captured on IPPIS, as there was no corresponding authorisation or budgetary provision for them.”

The management further maintained that the accusations were baseless. “The allegations of selective confirmation are false, misleading, and completely unfounded. Salaries in federal polytechnics in 2023 were processed strictly through IPPIS, a government-regulated platform beyond the control of individual institutions,” the PRO explained.

While empathising with those affected, the institution stressed that its current leadership is focused on due process. “While management empathises with those affected by the irregularities of the past recruitment exercise, it is important to state that the current leadership is firmly committed to doing things right. Our guiding principles remain transparency, fairness, accountability, and adherence to due process. We reassure stakeholders and the general public that Federal Polytechnic, Oko, under its present Management, will continue to safeguard the integrity of the institution and engage relevant authorities towards sustainable solutions within the framework of the law,” the statement concluded

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