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The University of Zambia (UNZA) is reportedly owing both serving and retired employees approximately K1.3 billion in terminal benefits alone, according to the University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union (UNZALARU).
The debt comprises K532 million under Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) Superannuation and K773 million in gratuities and pensions.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, UNZALARU President, Professor Andrew Phiri, revealed that some of the unpaid benefits dated back to April 2016, expressing concern over UNZA’s persistent financial and governance challenges.
Phiri said the institution continues to face serious difficulties, including delayed salary payments, failure to clear accrued gratuities and pensions, and non-remittance of statutory contributions to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA).
He added that the university has also been delaying remittance of union subscriptions and payments to various service providers.
“Poor funding of the University of Zambia has not only negatively affected the fulfilment of contractual obligations but also infrastructure development and maintenance at the institution for a very long time,” he said.
Phiri lamented that staff offices, lecture theatres, laboratories, and student accommodation remained inadequate and in a deplorable state, worsened by poor water supply and sanitation facilities.
He acknowledged that while the 2026 National Budget increased UNZA’s allocation from K233.7 million to K308.5 million, with K150 million earmarked for personnel emoluments under the University Education budget, the actual disbursements to the institution remained unpredictable and stagnant.
“We must recognise here that in the 2026 National Budget, the allocation to UNZA has increased by about K74 million. The increase is commendable,” he said.
“However, the reality is that the funds that actually reach the University are unpredictable and have stagnated for years,” he added.
Phiri argued that the government’s continued underfunding of UNZA contradicted its stated commitment to prioritising education and ensuring financial stability in the public service.
“This is not only an unacceptable betrayal of the very people who built and sustained UNZA’s legacy of excellence but a stark contradiction of President Hakainde Hichilema’s repeated pronouncements that his government has paid off all pensions and gratuities owed to public service workers,” he said.
The UNZALARU president warned that the union would not hesitate to take further action if the crisis remained unresolved. He demanded full settlement of all terminal benefits owed to both serving and retired staff, as well as timely and predictable payment of salaries and allowances.
Phiri further called on the government to increase the university’s grant and ensure timely release of funds by the Ministries of Finance and Education, as well as tuition remittances from the Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board (HELSB).
He also demanded the immediate suspension of the newly introduced top-heavy UNZA organisational structure, which he said was straining the institution’s limited resources.
“These demands must be met by 31st December 2025 ahead of the next academic year. The Union should not be held responsible if members resort to unconventional means in pursuit of their long-overdue entitlements,” Phiri warned.
He added that without resolving the long-standing financial and operational issues, “it makes no sense for the University to open its doors to new students in the next academic year.”
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