After the death of Herbert Wigwe, the citadel of learning he founded, Wigwe University, has been plagued by allegations of mass staff dismissals, intimidation and administrative high-handedness. Daniel Ayantoye writes that while former employees paint a troubling picture of life at the institution, the university strongly disputes the allegations and offers a sharply contrasting account of events
A dream under scrutiny
On August 1, 2025, Dr Nonyelum Okechukwu arrived at Wigwe University in Rivers State expecting the usual ordinary day at the institution, where she had served as university librarian since joining in November 2023.
The woman in her late 50s was instead handed a letter stating that her appointment would be terminated.
“I came to work on August 1, 2025, and they served me a letter saying they were giving me notice to stop working and that my appointment would be terminated on October 30, 2025,” she told our correspondent.
