Staff of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, are now receiving regular salaries and pension payments following the approval of a ₦500 million monthly subvention by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The institution’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Samuel, disclosed this on Thursday at a news conference in Benin. He described the intervention as a lifeline that has restored financial stability to the state-owned university.
According to Samuel, the allocation marks a sharp contrast to the ₦41 million monthly support provided by the previous administration, which left the institution grappling with unpaid salaries, pension arrears and recurrent labour unrest.
“With Governor Okpebholo’s ₦500 million monthly support, we have been able to promptly pay staff salaries, clear pension obligations, and implement the new ₦70,000 minimum wage,” he said.
The VC recalled that a drastic cut in subvention—from ₦270 million under former Governor Adams Oshiomhole to ₦41 million—triggered the financial crisis between 2021 and 2024, paralysing operations and eroding staff morale.
He added that the governor’s intervention has restored confidence, revived industrial harmony and laid the foundation for sustainable growth.
“The labourer deserves his wages, and we are now living up to that principle,” Samuel stressed.
