UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY
2025
PROFESSOR SIMON UCHENNA ORTUANYA
VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE
POLICY STATEMENT
PURPOSE
DEFINITION AND SCOPE
REPORTING CHANNELS
CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMITY
PROTECTION AGAINST RETALIATION
INVESTIGATION PROCESS
COMMUNICATION AND FEEDBACK
ACTION AND RESOLUTIONS
POLICY COMMUNICATION
LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- PREAMBLE
The University of Nigeria is a premier institution of higher learning, committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency in all its activities: academic, administrative, financial, and community services.
As the first indigenous university of Nigeria, the University of Nigeria was established in 1960 as a land-grant institution. The motto of the institution, which is “To restore the dignity of man”, has served as a compass that guides its activities. In pursuit of her mandate, the University of Nigeria is guided by the principles of integrity, fairness, inclusiveness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
In line with the national and international best practices, this institution acknowledges the vital role of whistleblowing as a mechanism for detecting, preventing, and addressing all forms of misconduct or malpractice that may undermine its values and objectives.
The Whistleblowing Policy, therefore, provides a structured and confidential channel through which staff, students, third parties, and all stakeholders may report concerns related to breaches of university policies or violations of applicable laws and regulations. The University of Nigeria, through this policy, seeks to encourage openness and responsibility among all stakeholders and third parties by providing a mechanism that protects whistleblowers from victimization. All disclosures will be treated fairly, with diligence, confidentiality, and respect for due process.
Through this policy, the University of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering dedication to building an environment of integrity and trust—an environment in which every member of the university community is empowered to contribute to the achievement of excellence, justice, and the common good.
- POLICY STATEMENT
The University of Nigeria is committed to fostering the culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all its actions, in line with national legislation and international best practices. This Whistleblowing Policy provides a framework for members of the university community to raise concerns about misconduct, fraud, corruption, harassment, and any unethical behaviour without fear of victimization or retaliation. In other words, it is a robust non-retaliatory policy that protects individuals who, in good faith, raise concerns about wrongdoings or violations of this policy, herein referred to as the Whistleblowing Policy. Without prejudice, the policy aligns with the national policy of whistleblowing as contained in the Public Service rules, the ICPC Act, and the Freedom of Speech Act(s) and global best practices.
- PURPOSE
The purpose of the Whistleblowing Policy of the University of Nigeria aligns with the National Whistleblowing Policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and global best practices. All staff, students, stakeholders, and third parties are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the University, thereby preserving the image of the University of Nigeria. It is against this background that the Whistleblowing Policy is set forth as a mechanism to report any form of infraction by students, staff, stakeholders, and other third parties of the University.
To achieve the purpose, the following objectives are formulated to:
- create awareness of the Whistleblowing Policy as well as things/behaviours that constitute infractions of rules and regulations for staff, students, stakeholders, and third parties. This is to enshrine a culture of integrity.
- encourage individuals who, in good faith (without prejudice, devoid of malice, in all honesty), raise concerns about any form of wrongdoing/violation of rules and regulations of the University.
- establish safe and confidential channels for reporting infractions.
- create awareness for staff, students, stakeholders, and other third parties of the standards of the University of Nigeria.
- provide clear guidance on the whistle-blowing process.
- define the types of concerns that can be raised.
- outline any legal protections or restrictions that may apply.
- DEFINITION AND SCOPE
Definition:
Whistleblowing is an activity by staff, students, stakeholders, and third parties, or any employer that reveals information about activities within and outside the University of Nigeria that is deemed illegal, immoral, illicit, unsafe, unethical, and fraudulent.
A whistleblower is someone who speaks up about suspected wrongdoing that he or she reasonably believes is in the public interest.
Scope: The policy applies to all staff, students, stakeholders, and third parties. The following behaviours qualify for whistleblowing:
Corrupt practices such as bullying, sexual harassment, dereliction of duties, intimidation of students, abuse of office such as: sole administrator by Head of Departments/Units, sidelining by the boss/supervisor, absenteeism, stealing of university property, conspiracy against the university, suppression of official documents, undue delay of results, extortion, accounting fraud, padding in accounting, plagiarism, academic misconduct, non-academic misconduct, indiscipline, malicious accusations, insubordinations, job/admission/employment racketeering, abuse of office, illegal imposition of levies, leakage of exam questions by staff, sex for grade, blackmail and cultism, homosexuality and lesbianism, threat to life and property, conspiracy
- REPORTING CHANNELS
A university-established anonymous reporting hotline and dedicated email for reporting suspected wrongdoings.
- CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMITY.
There shall be protection for anonymous reporting of infractions where applicable to staff, students, third parties and all stakeholders. The identity of the individual who filed the complaint shall not be disclosed, nor shall there be any behaviour that suggests such.
- PROTECTION AGAINST RETALIATION
Retaliation within this policy refers to any adverse action taken against staff, students, stakeholders, and third parties for reporting misconduct, violation of laws, unethical behaviour, or safety concerns within the university, or for actions that discourage reporting or participating in conflict resolution processes.
There shall be protection against harassment, threats, and other conducts that discourage reporting or participating in other conflict resolution processes
Scope of protection shall be for;
- Anyone who reports misconduct verbally or in writing
- Persons who file complaints
- Person(s) who participate in investigations
- Person(s) who serve as a witness(ess)
- Person(s) who make decisions in the complaint processes
- INVESTIGATION PROCESS
Reported cases of infractions of this policy shall be investigated by the appropriate committees. The composition of the Committee shall be determined by the nature of the offence and the appropriate organs mandated by university statutes to investigate such matters. The Chairmen of the Committee(s) shall be persons of proven integrity, as may be found in persons(s) usually appointed as Director of SERVICOM.
- COMMUNICATION AND FEEDBACK
Reports will be acknowledged, and feedback on the progress of the matter communicated appropriately when the reporter is not anonymous.
- ACTION AND RESOLUTION
On receipt of the complaint, the officer in charge (depending on the nature of the offence) is to notify the Administration, if the matter is not already in the public domain. The Administration should be informed of every whistleblowing case.
Resolution: The composition of the committee shall be units in the university that have been mandated by statutes of the university to handle such cases.
- POLICY COMMUNICATION:
The Whistleblowing Policy document shall be hosted on the university website. There shall be advocacy programmes during matriculation, orientation, and other yearly sensitization programmes for staff and students. The policy document should be integrated into the Student Handbook and staff Code of Conduct (conditions of service handbook for junior and senior staff)
- LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Criminal cases shall be referred to the Security Department for their further necessary action. Other cases shall be handled in line with the extant laws of the University of Nigeria. In the event of false/unproven malicious whistleblowing, the administration shall sanction such persons accordingly. There shall be a reward for whistleblowing as may be determined by the administration. Any aggrieved party because of a false accusation may appeal to the administration for remedial action.
There will be an institution of policy review every five (5) years. This policy aligns with other policy documents of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
SIGNATURES
Prof. Grace C. Offorma Prof. Sabinus I. Ofoefule
(Chairman) (Member)
Prof. Chigbo A. Mgbemene Prof. Jane M. Chah
(Member) (Member)
Prof. Chinenye Anyadike Prof. Nkechinyere G. Onah
Member Member
Prof. Christian Ezeibe Mr. Christian Alumona
(Member) (Member)
Mrs. Ogechi-Whyte Nwankwo
(Secretary)
