The management of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, has dismissed allegations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it failed to release audited accounts, saying the claims are misleading and do not reflect the true financial and administrative position of the institution.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar and Head of Information, Media and Public Relations Unit, Abdullahi Datti, the university explained that the current administration led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Musa Tukur Yakasai, inherited a backlog of unaudited accounts but has since addressed the issue by hiring external auditors who completed the required reviews and made the reports available to the public. The university stated that ASUU’s comments were unfounded and aimed at misinforming stakeholders including the Kano State government and members of the academic community.
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According to the university, upon assumption of office in 2023, the management discovered that accounts for 2020, 2021, and 2022 had not been audited and immediately took action to engage qualified external auditors who completed the backlog. The reports, the institution noted, are already in the public domain. It further disclosed that the 2023 financial accounts are currently undergoing external audit, and once submitted, the report will also be released publicly in line with principles of transparency and accountability expected of Nigerian higher education institutions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, and contrary to the claims by ASUU, the administration of Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai has demonstrated commitment to transparency and good governance,” the statement said. It added that the institution has prioritised financial accountability, infrastructure development, and improvement of both teaching and learning conditions across the university. The management underscored that it has pursued various developmental projects since assuming leadership, with emphasis on strengthening academic facilities, improving staff welfare, and enhancing the university’s competitiveness among science and technology-focused institutions.
The management also addressed concerns raised by ASUU over budget monitoring, clarifying that the absence of a Budget Monitoring Committee (BMC) during the period referenced by the union was due to the dissolution of the previous governing council. It noted that no committee could be constituted without a council in place. With the establishment of the sixth governing council, the university has now reconstituted the committee, which has considered and reviewed the first and second quarters of the 2025 budget performance report. This, the institution noted, reflects its continued compliance with administrative and governance procedures guiding Nigerian universities.
On recruitment challenges, the university explained that it inherited newly established academic programmes and departments that lacked adequate staffing and facilities. To address this gap, the administration submitted a request to the state government for approval to employ additional academic staff. The request, according to the statement, received partial approval and has contributed significantly to the university’s improved performance in the 2023 National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise. The institution stressed that strengthening academic staffing remains a priority as it continues to expand programmes and deepen research and learning infrastructure in line with its science and technology mandate.
Addressing comments about power supply on campus, the university clarified that no section of the institution was disconnected from electricity. Instead, the management adopted a rationalised supply approach due to rising operational expenses under Band A electricity pricing. The university noted that this measure was a prudent response to economic realities and did not amount to neglect or disconnection, as claimed by ASUU.
ADUSTECH reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, academic development and service delivery, noting that its leadership remains focused on building a modern science and technology university capable of producing skilled graduates, advancing innovation, and contributing to national development. The institution urged stakeholders, especially the academic union, to engage constructively and support initiatives aimed at strengthening university governance and academic excellence.
The management called on the public to disregard misleading allegations and expressed confidence that its actions and ongoing reforms demonstrate its dedication to the growth and sustainability of the institution. It assured students, staff and education stakeholders that it will continue to operate transparently and uphold standards required of public universities in Nigeria.
