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UNIOSUN VC rejects payroll fraud claims, says 250 staff wrongly tagged as ghost workers
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Accuses Sally Tibbot Consulting of ignorance, unprofessional audit process
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University demands apology, threatens legal action over reputational damage
The management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has rejected allegations of payroll fraud, accusing Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited of ignorance and unprofessional conduct for reportedly listing 250 staff members, including the Vice-Chancellor, as ghost workers.
Speaking in Osogbo on Saturday, the Vice-Chancellor, Clement Adebooye, described the audit report as misleading and fraudulent, alleging that the firm failed to understand the operational structure of a university system.
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Adebooye explained that the institution had provided records of staff who exited the university between the 2022 and 2023 audits due to retirement, resignation, or withdrawal of service.
He accused the consulting firm of allegedly merging those names with active staff and categorising them as ghost workers.
“It is shocking that even I, who was present throughout the audit exercise, was listed as a ghost worker. This is an insult to my personality and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor,” he said.
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The VC maintained that UNIOSUN operates a strict payroll verification system, including a monthly “Salary Checker” review, stressing that only certified staff receive salaries.
He disclosed that the university currently has 1,463 verified staff across its six campuses.
He further faulted the audit process, alleging that the firm breached standard procedures by failing to issue a management letter for review before finalising its report.
The university has demanded a formal apology from the consulting firm and warned that it would pursue legal remedies if necessary under Nigerian law.
Also reacting, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNIOSUN branch, Comrade Olusegun Adebayo, described the report as incompetent, noting that he personally participated in the 2023 audit exercise despite being listed as a ghost worker.
UNIOSUN reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, expressing readiness for any independent and professionally conducted review of its payroll system.
