Delta State Ministry of Higher Education to Conduct Verification Exercise for Reinstatement of 2015 Payroll-Suspended Staff at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku

 

Delta State Ministry of Higher Education to Conduct Verification Exercise for Reinstatement of 2015 Payroll-Suspended Staff at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku

In a recent development that signals the government’s renewed commitment to addressing longstanding personnel issues, the Delta State Ministry of Higher Education has announced plans to carry out a verification exercise aimed at reinstating staff whose names were suspended from the Polytechnic’s payroll since 2015.

The directive was contained in an official circular dated 21st October, 2025, issued from the office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bridget O. Odobor, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, and addressed to the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.

Purpose of the Verification

According to the circular, the move follows a meeting held with the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, during which it was resolved that a ministerial team be constituted to undertake a thorough verification exercise for affected staff.

The verification exercise will seek to determine:

  1. The actual number of affected staff;

  2. The employment status of each staff member; and

  3. The financial implications of their possible reinstatement.

Composition of the Verification Team

The Ministry has mandated a team comprising:

  • The Permanent Secretary;

  • Directors of Finance & Accounts, Administration, and Higher Education;

  • An Assistant Director (Legal); and

  • An Assistant Chief Education Officer from the Ministry.

This team will visit the Polytechnic on Wednesday, 29th October 2025, at 10:00 am to conduct the verification exercise on site.

Required Documents and Staff Appearance

The Ministry directed that the institution provide the following documents to facilitate the process:

  • The nominal roll of the Polytechnic covering January 2012 – April 2015;

  • All approvals for recruitment granted within the same period (January 2012 – April 2015).

Additionally, all affected staff are expected to appear before the verification team with the originals of:

  • Their first appointment letter;

  • National Identification Number (NIN);

  • A passport photograph; and

  • Their first and last payslips, which are to be submitted at the verification venue to be provided by the institution.

The letter also urged that the exercise be treated with “utmost urgency” to ensure smooth reinstatement procedures for deserving staff members.

Significance of the Exercise

This directive represents a major administrative step toward resolving one of the Polytechnic’s most contentious staff welfare issues — the 2015 payroll suspension that had affected several employees and generated discontent within the academic community.

The Ministry’s proactive stance, coming amid recent efforts to stabilize industrial relations at the institution, is expected to restore confidence among staff and strengthen trust in the state government’s commitment to transparency and justice in personnel management.

Observers note that the initiative also aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s broader policy of equity, accountability, and fairness in the state’s tertiary education system, as he continues to implement the MORE Agenda — with emphasis on inclusiveness and institutional reform.

Conclusion

With the verification slated for Wednesday, 29th October 2025, the management and staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku are expected to cooperate fully with the Ministry’s team. The outcome of this exercise could pave the way for the long-awaited reinstatement of the 2015 payroll-suspended staff, signaling a new chapter of fairness and administrative clarity in the institution’s human resource framework.

Authored by: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
For: Global Egberi Media International
Date: Wednesday, 29th October 2025

Source: Delta State Ministry of Higher Education official circular (Ref: MHE/HE/DSPG/VOL. I/174, 21st October 2025)

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