The management of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has threatened serious disciplinary action against staff members found guilty of extorting students, selling textbooks and reading materials directly to students, and engaging in other acts of misconduct.

The university also warned employees against absenteeism, lateness to work, failure to upload examination results and making negative comments about the institution’s Visitor, Governor Alex Otti, and its management.

The warning was contained in an internal memo dated October 12, 2026, with reference number ABSU/REG/VII/113/, signed by the Acting Registrar, Dr Joy Nwankwo, and addressed to all teaching and non-teaching staff.

According to the memo, the university’s Governing Council had observed that some employees were violating the rules and regulations guiding their conditions of service.

The council expressed displeasure over the alleged infractions and resolved to enforce disciplinary measures against any employee found culpable.

The memo stated that the violations included the direct sale of textbooks and other reading materials to students, despite the university Senate’s position on the practice.

It also listed the extortion of money from staff members and students for routine official services among the prohibited practices.

Other alleged offences included frequent lateness, unauthorised absence from duty posts and failure to resume work after the expiration of approved study leave, sabbatical leave and annual leave while continuing to receive salaries.

University Warns Against Exploiting Students

The university management also raised concerns over the alleged use of course representatives to exploit fellow students.

It warned staff members against using students to facilitate activities that could place undue financial pressure on their colleagues.

The memo further prohibited the use of students to invigilate examinations, describing such practices as violations of the institution’s code of conduct, ethics and academic regulations.

Staff members were also warned against engaging casual workers to perform their official duties while remaining absent from their duty posts.

The university said the failure of lecturers and other relevant personnel to upload examination results in accordance with academic regulations was another area of concern.

It stressed that employees were expected to discharge their responsibilities in line with established rules and professional standards.

Staff Warned Against Conduct Prejudicial to Institution

The Governing Council also expressed concern over what it described as negative comments about the university’s Visitor and management that could be considered prejudicial to the institution’s interests.

The university warned that employees found guilty of the listed misconducts would face serious disciplinary measures.

The memo stated that the council had resolved to invoke appropriate sanctions against any staff member found culpable.

The warning comes amid efforts to strengthen discipline, accountability and compliance with institutional regulations at the state-owned university.

The management’s position underscores its determination to address alleged practices that could undermine academic standards, affect students’ welfare and compromise the effective administration of the institution.