Outrage as Covenant University Staff Allegedly Receives ₦102,000 Gratuity After 14 Years of Service
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Social media has erupted in outrage following the circulation of an image allegedly showing a ₦102,000 gratuity payment made to a Covenant University staff member after 14 years of service. The post, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), has triggered a nationwide debate over workers’ welfare and the ethical responsibility of faith-based institutions in Nigeria.

Viral Image Sparks Public Backlash

According to Akahi News findings, the viral image features what appears to be a Covenant University cheque dated recently, reportedly issued as a gratuity settlement. The figure — ₦102,000, roughly ₦7,285 per year — has been widely condemned as “demeaning and exploitative,” especially given the university’s Christian foundation under Bishop David Oyedepo.

Many Nigerians online questioned how such a prestigious and high-fee private institution could allegedly compensate a long-serving staff member with what they described as a “mockery of service reward.”

“How can a university that preaches prosperity and excellence give someone ₦102k after 14 years? This is beyond irony,” one user commented.

Pattern of Labour Disputes

This is not the first time Covenant University has come under scrutiny over alleged poor labour practices.
Akahi News recalls that between 2021 and 2022, Nigerian industrial courts reportedly ordered the university to pay over ₦10 million in damages and unpaid benefits to former staff.

In May 2025, another report emerged alleging that some terminated employees had gone unpaid for months, with one case linked to the tragic death of a dismissed staff member awaiting compensation.

Critics argue that the ban on workers’ unions within the university — justified by management as a policy to preserve “discipline and spiritual order” — has made it difficult for staff to negotiate fair employment terms or challenge alleged injustices.

Questions Over Authenticity

While the cheque image has stirred widespread anger, some commenters questioned its authenticity, suggesting it could be a monthly salary slip rather than a final gratuity.
However, many insist that even if the payment were legitimate, the recurring allegations of underpayment and poor exit packages across the institution warrant serious investigation.

Human rights advocates and education observers have since urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to look into the incident and establish transparent labour practices in private universities.

The controversy underscores a larger national concern — the widening gap between institutional wealth and employee welfare in Nigeria’s private education sector, where high tuition fees often contrast sharply with reports of modest staff compensation.

Akahi News — http://www.akahinews.org