The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Enugu State Chapter has labelled the recent allegations against the Registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Nnebedum, as baseless, false, and misleading.
Controversy erupted after a media report linking the National Senate President of NANS to criticisms of the Registrar during his visit to UNN. The visit, which was meant to honour the acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chigbu Polycarp, with an award, was reportedly used to push negative claims against Dr. Nnebedum.
But the Chairman of NANS in Enugu Comrade Cajetan Ali, in a swift reaction, insisted that the allegations are false and part of an agenda by individuals trying to undermine the Registrar’s leadership.
“We have read with utter disappointment a circulating report of the recent visit of the National Senate President of NANS to UNN as was reported by those who seek to utilize the sincere visit of the SP to achieve other ulterior motives. It was marred by a series of unwarranted and misinformed attacks on the person of the esteemed Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Nnebedum,” the group said in a statement.
According to NANS Enugu, Dr. Nnebedum is a seasoned administrator known for her commitment to due process and institutional integrity—qualities that have earned her both supporters and detractors.
“While we are not unaware of the fact that the Registrar’s uncommon commitment to due process and institutional integrity has earned her both friends and foes, we strongly believe that NANS should not be used as a tool to discourage such good virtues.”
Following discussions with the Senate President, the student leadership said he now realizes he was misled about the situation. NANS Enugu also countered specific claims made in the report, insisting that Dr. Nnebedum has never been under investigation by the UNN Governing Council or any relevant authority.
“Contrary to the claims made against her, the UNN Governing Council has never found fault with her actions, let alone set up an investigative panel to probe her. This claim, like many others, is nothing but a fabricated tale designed to mislead the public and smear her image.”
On the claim that she delayed hostel fumigation, the group explained that any delays were due to standard procurement processes, not negligence or sabotage.
“The suggestion that she deliberately delayed fumigation processes within the hostels is baseless. The fumigation process, like any other procurement-driven exercise, follows due process. Any delays were procedural and not due to any form of sabotage.”
The statement also rejected allegations that Dr. Nnebedum obstructed digitization projects or imposed unfair financial penalties on students.
“The claim that the Registrar intentionally obstructed the execution of digitization projects is also a deliberate falsehood. As a stickler to due process, she ensured that all contracts met the required administrative and financial regulations. If there were delays, they were due to standard bureaucratic processes that ensure transparency—not personal vendettas or sabotage.”
“The idea that the Registrar sought illicit financial inducements is a laughable distortion of reality. There is no documented proof of such claims, and no legitimate investigation has ever substantiated such an accusation.”
NANS Enugu believes that the allegations stem from individuals who see Dr. Nnebedum’s insistence on transparency as a threat to their personal interests.
“The most important question remains: Who benefits from this elaborate campaign of misinformation? The answer is simple—those who see Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Nnebedum’s commitment to integrity as an obstacle to their selfish ambitions. The individuals responsible for misinforming the Senate President did so because they seek to create administrative instability, weaken institutional checks and balances, and exploit the university’s resources unchecked.”
The group urged students, staff, and other stakeholders to ignore the accusations and support the Registrar’s leadership.
“As an organization committed to justice, NANS will not stand by while falsehoods are used to malign a diligent and honest public servant. Dr. (Mrs.) Celine Nnebedum remains a beacon of administrative excellence, and her unwavering dedication to the university’s strong ideals of character and integrity should be celebrated, not attacked.”
