The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has demanded an immediate upgrade of infrastructure and facilities at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, warning that continued neglect of the country’s only petroleum-focused university could harm Nigeria’s oil and gas manpower development.
Chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata, issued the caution on Friday during an oversight visit to federal universities in the South-South region.
Fulata noted that despite its strategic mandate, FUPRE has been weighed down by inadequate funding, obsolete equipment, overstretched classrooms, and poor research support. According to him, the university ought to be “one of the most advanced institutions in Nigeria, given its specialised role in the energy sector.”
He added, “Federal universities across the country have suffered chronic underfunding for years. FUPRE is not different, and this situation is unacceptable for a specialised institution expected to drive innovation in the oil and gas industry.”
The committee urged the Federal Government and key stakeholders in the petroleum sector to increase investments in specialised universities, in line with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
During the engagement with lawmakers, FUPRE Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel Ogden, appealed for enhanced and dedicated funding, stressing that the university needs full implementation of its Establishment Act.
“We require a remuneration system that can attract top researchers and experts. The university also needs deeper collaboration with oil and gas companies to fulfil its mandate,” Ogden said.
Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, and the institution’s management over alleged breaches of the Appropriation Act, violation of federal character provisions, and failure to submit documents relating to the implementation of the 2023–2025 budget cycles.
Fulata criticised the VC’s repeated absence during oversight visits, describing his conduct as “unbecoming of the head of a public institution.”
“We visited UniPort last year, and the Vice Chancellor did not show up. We returned this year, and again he was unavailable, giving flimsy excuses. No documents have been provided from 2023 to date. This is unacceptable,” he insisted.
At the University of Uyo, the committee flagged conflicting student population figures—73,000 and 42,000—describing the discrepancies as troubling. Vice Chancellor Prof. Nyaudoh Ukpabio Ndaeyo has been invited to clarify the inconsistencies.
Similarly, the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi came under criticism for what lawmakers referred to as excessive expenditure on local and international travel. The VC, Prof. Leo Daniel, was advised to channel funds toward academic and infrastructure priorities rather than non-essential costs.
Fulata reaffirmed the House’s commitment to restoring integrity and efficiency in university administration nationwide.
“We are not out to witch-hunt anyone. We are performing our constitutional duties. Accountability and proper management are key to raising the standard of education in this country,” he said.
