Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has condemned what he described as a deep-rooted culture of corruption and moral decadence at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, calling for urgent reforms to restore the institution’s credibility.
Uzodimma expressed his dismay over the systemic issues plaguing the university and tasked its Governing Board with eliminating unethical practices and revitalizing the school’s operations.
According tto a statement signed by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Uzodimma spoke at a meeting with the Board at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
“What is very endemic is corruption and lack of commitment on the part of the staff,” Uzodimma was quoted to have said.
The Governor criticized the university for admitting students who cannot graduate due to administrative lapses and called for an overhaul of both admission and graduation procedures.
“A system that tolerates corruption cannot succeed. The process must be streamlined and transparent,” he added.
He also highlighted the need for automation and computerization, which he believes would eliminate manual errors and corrupt practices.
“Automation is the only way forward. A functional system will not only restore integrity but also attract investors,” Uzodimma explained.
He proposed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to boost the university’s revenue, assuring the Board of the government’s willingness to support the institution, provided the environment is conducive for reforms.
“If the system is clean and functional, we are ready to provide interventions and even allow flexibility in managing resources. But this is not charity—there must be accountability,” he emphasized.
Board Chairman Rev. Fr. Prof. Philip Anyaehie Ogbonna thanked the Governor for his guidance and revealed that their findings align with his concerns.
He called for government support in computerizing the university’s systems and introducing digital skills training to curb corruption and enhance graduate employability.
