The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the reinstatement of a purportedly dismissed lecturer of Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Tamunonimim Ngerebo-a.

In her judgment obtained by Legit.ng on Friday, March 13, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice E. I. Kola-Olalere, held that the dismissal of the claimant by Rivers State University did not comply with the institution’s laws and regulations and was therefore unlawful.

Ngerebo-a, who was of the Department of Banking and Finance, Faculty of Management Sciences, was dismissed by the 12th Governing Council of Rivers State University under the then acting vice-chancellor, Professor Opuenebo Owei, The Punch reported.

Prof. Ngerebo-a had approached the court in 2019, challenging his dismissal from the university and seeking reinstatement.

The court consequently ordered that he be reinstated to the service of Rivers State University with effect from October 10, 2019, and directed the university to pay all his salaries and allowances from that date.

Furthermore, Justice Kola-Olalere further ruled that the outstanding salaries and allowances must be paid within three months. The judgment also allows Prof. Ngerebo-a to be eligible for reassessment for promotion to professor after serving three years in his reinstated position.

The court made no order as to costs in the judgment.

Rivers varsity, professor reach settlement

Meanwhile, the matter has been conclusively closed following the signing of the Terms of Settlement between Rivers State University and Prof. Ngerebo-a.

The agreement was confirmed by the immediate past registrar, Mrs. Ibimonia Harry, and the current vice-chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi.

Ngerebo-a reacts to NICN's judgment

When contacted, a highly elated Prof. Ngerebo-a said:

“The non-ethnic, digital, proactive, peaceful, humane and progressive Vice Chancellor, acting on the 14th Governing Council of the University, facilitated my reinstatement and restoration of all my rights as Professor. I am indebted to the Governing Council, Vice Chancellor and Management of the University for this kind gesture.”