Wigwe Varsity Racked by Mass Sacking Allegations

​Less than two years after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of its visionary founder, Herbert Wigwe, Wigwe University in Isiokpo, Rivers State, has been engulfed in a deepening controversy surrounding alleged mass staff dismissals, intimidation, and administrative high-handedness.

​What began as individual grievances over abrupt contract terminations has snowballed into a broader institutional crisis, drawing sharp criticisms from former employees, civil society organizations, and legal experts.

​A Dream Under Scrutiny

​Conceived by the late banking titan Herbert Wigwe to blend international standards with African realities, the institution was established to nurture fearless leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. However, following Wigwe’s death on February 9, 2024—just months before the university formally opened its doors—the governance and operational climate have shifted dramatically.

​Documents indicate that approximately 30 academic and non-academic staff members have either had their appointments terminated or resigned under controversial circumstances during the review period. Former employees paint a troubling portrait of a toxic work environment characterized by sudden sackings and pervasive fear.

​Among those affected is Dr. Nonyelum Okechukwu, who served as the university librarian from November 2023 until August 1, 2025, when she was handed a notice terminating her appointment effective October 30, 2025. Okechukwu claimed she was neither invited before a disciplinary panel nor afforded an opportunity to defend herself against any allegations. Subsequent appeals to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees reportedly yielded no resolution.

​Similar accounts have emerged from other departments. Amarachi Ogbennia, a former college secretary in the College of Engineering who was temporarily reassigned to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, alleged she was sacked arbitrarily after falling ill at work and seeking brief permission to leave early. Other accounts include a Zimbabwean lecturer who claimed unfulfilled relocation and travel agreements before his appointment was abruptly ended, as well as several senior administrators who resigned citing a systematic erosion of professional autonomy.

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​Institutional Defense and Legal Dimensions

​Responding to the allegations, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Wigwe University, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi, strongly denied personally terminating any staff member. He maintained that the institution adheres strictly to established statutory procedures and dismissed claims of arbitrary action.

​”I didn’t sack anybody. There is a procedure we follow in the university. I have no right to sack anybody… There is a difference between dismissing people and people resigning or failing to do their job. Dismissing people involves a long procedure. There is a disciplinary process, the Governing Council has to consider it, and we have to constitute a high-level committee.”

​Al-Akaidi emphasized that the institution maintains rigorous academic and operational standards, asserting that individuals unwilling to commit to a rigorous work ethic do not fit the university’s trajectory.

​Public and Legal Reactions

​The unfolding dispute has drawn swift reactions from legal practitioners and civil society leaders regarding labour standards in private tertiary institutions.

​While stakeholders acknowledge the operational freedoms enjoyed by private universities, human rights advocates and legal experts emphasize that institutional autonomy does not exempt management from complying with the Nigerian Labour Act and constitutional due process. Observers have called for transparent dialogue and independent inquiries to address the grievances and safeguard both institutional stability and the industrial rights of workers.