Bullying, bias and mismanagement claims surface in FNU council-PM’s office clash

Fiji National University (FNU) council chairman Semesa Karavaki says the Government’s move to shift the operation of FNU under the Prime Minister’s Office interferes with a disciplinary process against Vice-Chancellor Dr Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.

Speaking to this masthead, Mr Karavaki confirmed the council was going to discipline Dr Nabobo-Baba following internal investigations after complaints reached Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro.

Mr Karavaki claims the realignment tries to shield the Vice-Chancellor from being disciplined because of “her mismanagement.”

A former senior FNU staff member who lodged a whistleblower report against the Vice-Chancellor on 23 January 2025, alleging bias and discrimination, pointed to Mr Karavaki as part of the problem for delaying investigations.

When questioned, Mr Karavaki said there was an internal system of investigation, which required the Vice-Chancellor to respond to complaints.

“When it went to the Prime Minister and Minister for Education, the council was convened again for several special meetings to address the complaints,” he said.

“It reached a point where the council identified that the centre of the complaint was human resources issues, including hiring and disciplining and advertising positions. The council decided to step in and direct the Vice-Chancellor that all recruitments at that level, from heads of departments upwards, must be referred to the council for approval.

“I issued that letter last week. Suddenly, after I issued it, all these changes happened, and those in the Prime Minister’s Office have taken over these processes from the FNU council without proper authority.”

Mr Karavaki said the council was scheduled to meet later this week to discuss the matter, but this was blocked by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The senior staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged being victimised and bullied by the Vice-Chancellor on several occasions, prompting the whistleblower report.

Last night, an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office downplayed the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor, describing the announcement to operate the university under the PM’s Office as part of the “planning and strategic vision of Government.”

The announcement breaches the FNU Act, which gives the Minister for Education authority over the national university.

A source close to the matter told this masthead that for over a year, the council lobbied for the university to operate under the Prime Minister’s Office to allow for more budget allocation.

This masthead understands several similar complaints alleging abuse of power were lodged against Dr Nabobo-Baba.

The former senior staff member, who was also a council member, said multiple emails were sent to Mr Radrodro, the PM, and the council chairman, but no action was taken.

“My three-year contract was supposed to end in July 2025, but I resigned five months early. It was too frustrating, and I was disheartened by what was happening.”

When contacted, Dr Nabobo-Baba said she would hold a press conference this week.

Mr Radrodro was informed through a letter from the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Peni Sikivou, last week.

Mr Karavaki welcomed the change but labelled it a “takeover.”