Special investigation by Katsina times media group.
What happened? What was done?
A Katsina Times Special Investigation
While Umaru Musa Yar'adua University in Katsina grapples with severe financial crisis—prompting repeated appeals to the Katsina State Government for intervention to resolve its budgetary constraints—a Katsina Times investigation has uncovered that 26 university staff members misappropriated university funds totaling N512,995,572.63, yet have refused repayment.
Documents obtained from the university's finance department reveal that some lecturers have owed these debts for over five years without repayment.
DID THEY DEFRAUD THE UNIVERSITY?
Every university has a system to improve its operations by sponsoring lecturers for further studies abroad, expecting them to return and teach while repaying the funds spent on their education.
Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), with good intentions, regularly sends its lecturers overseas to acquire knowledge and return to enhance the university’s academic standards.
Sadly, after gaining their degrees, many refuse to repay the university, fail to serve as required, and instead seek better-paying jobs elsewhere—abandoning the institution.
From a list of names obtained by Katsina Times, it was discovered that one individual, not even from Katsina State, embezzled over ₦34 million in training funds before fleeing the university.
Another shocking revelation by Katsina Times is that most of the defaulters have no intention of repaying. They have a history of financial delinquency in their current workplaces or positions.
Katsina Times tracked all debtors to their current places of employment. Out of the 26 individuals, 18 have no financial constraints that prevent repayment—they simply refuse.
For example: One lecturer owes ₦88 million. Another owes ₦45 million. Yet, they could easily pay even 5 times the amount they owed —but they won’t.
Our investigation found that the university has spent years pursuing the defaulters, but the situation only worsens.
Some debtors actively discourage others from repaying, telling them "nothing will happen."
There are also unverified allegations that some defaulters secretly agreed among themselves not to repay. While we can not confirm this, the actions of some debtors suggest collusion.
Additionally, a professor who headed the debt recovery committee has been accused of deliberately delaying the process.
THE UNIVERSITY'S STANCE
Dr. Ali Mukhtar, one of the university’s deputy vice-chancellors, confirmed the debt issue to Katsina Times.
He stated: Some signed agreements to repay gradually from their new jobs. Others left without informing the university, despite knowing they owed debts.
Dr. Mukhtar added: "Since most debtors are from Katsina (except one or two), we initially handled the matter diplomatically. However, during the University Council meeting on April 25, 2025, the council authorized stronger measures against defaulters."
OPINIONS FROM ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Comrade Bishir Dauda, National Secretary of the Voice of the masses, described the actions of the indebted university lecturers as "unbefitting of Katsina State and detrimental to education."
He called on the Katsina State Governor—who serves as the university's Visitor—to take strict action against these unpatriotic individuals sabotaging educational development in Katsina.
All those interviewed by Katsina Times condemned the debtors' conduct, confirming they have no intention of repayment.
Some even accused university management of colluding with the defaulters, suggesting this may explain the failure to take decisive recovery measures.
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