FUMHS: Did VC Employs 50 Relatives Out Of 300 University Job Offers?

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Tension is reportedly mounting at the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences (FUMHS), Kwale, Delta State, following allegations of lopsided and nepotistic recruitment by the institution’s management.

The claims were first published by The Pond News, an online newspaper owned by veteran journalist and former Pointer editor, Julius Oweh, in an exposé titled “Apartheid in Kwale University?”. The report alleged that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abel Onunu, employed about 50 of his relatives out of an estimated 300 staff engaged by the university.

According to the publication, among those allegedly appointed were the Vice-Chancellor’s wife, said to have been employed as Deputy Director of the University Clinic, a sister-in-law as Deputy Registrar, and a brother-in-law as Head of Academic Planning, alongside several other relatives.

The report argued that if the allegations are substantiated, the Federal Ministry of Education should urgently intervene, noting that recruitment into federal institutions is guided by the principle of federal character. It also raised concerns about the role of the university’s Governing Council, which is statutorily empowered to oversee the affairs of the institution.

The university was facilitated by former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. The report further called on Senator Ned Nwoko and Honourable Charles Emetulu to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

However, this is not the first time the institution has faced such allegations. In August 2025, a civil society group, Concern Ndokwa Youths Nigeria, raised similar concerns over alleged job racketeering, nepotism and unfair recruitment practices at the university.

In a press statement dated 1 August 2025 and signed by its convener, Engineer Jerry Ogwu, the group accused the university’s management of marginalising qualified indigenes of the host Ndokwa Nation during recruitment exercises. The group alleged that employment opportunities meant to empower local professionals were being sold or diverted to politically connected individuals from outside the area.

“The university was established not only for academic excellence but also as a source of opportunity and hope for the host community,” the statement read. “It is therefore disheartening and unacceptable that recruitment processes are shrouded in secrecy, with little or no regard for transparency, fairness or due process.”

The group further alleged that key staffing decisions were taken without consultation with, or inclusion of, the host community, despite its peaceful support for the institution.

“Ndokwa people are not spectators in their own land. Our patience should not be mistaken for weakness or ignorance,” the statement added, claiming that the employment process had been compromised to favour external interests.

Concern Ndokwa Youths Nigeria issued four demands: a comprehensive investigation by the Federal Ministry of Education and relevant anti-corruption agencies; the publication of all employment records since the university’s inception; the introduction of a clear employment quota for host communities; and an end to all forms of marginalization and ethnic bias in the university’s administration.

The statement was co-signed by Hayfred Osele, Secretary of the group, and Kingsley Chukwuemeke Ekeh, its Publicity Secretary and Media Coordinator.

As of the time of filing this report, the university management had not publicly responded to the allegations.