NB247
Lecturers working with the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have threatened to block the proposed resumption of academic activities at the institution following the failure of the state government to pay their entitlements.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the University has issued a stern warning that unless their outstanding salaries and arrears spanning several months, were cleared, the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation ceremony of the institution would be disrupted.
The lecturers embarked on an indefinite strike in August over the non-payment of their entitlements, a development that had crippled academic and social activities on the university campus.
Chairman of AAUA ASUU, Boluwaji Oshodi, lamented what he described as the insensitivity of the state government to the plight of the lecturers.
According to him, members of the union have been stretched to the limit.
“We have been patient and tolerant for too long, but this time, we won’t be again,” he declared.
”Our members have been pushed to the wall, and we see no indication that the state government is willing to rectify the situation.”
Mr Oshodi disclosed that several efforts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to seek an amicable resolution had been unsuccessful, further heightening the frustration of the union members
In response to the Union’s new threat, the state government denied abandoning the institution.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, insisted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration had been alive to its responsibilities to all state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA.
Mr Ajibefun explained that the government has consistently released monthly subvention without delay and is engaging with the striking lecturers to resolve the lingering dispute.
“The government is actively working to address the issues at hand. Dialogue is ongoing, and we are confident that the matter will soon be resolved,” he assured.
One of the complaints by the lecturers include the non-payment of the N73,000 minimum wage already being enjoyed by other agencies of the state government.
It was reliably gathered that although the state government make disbursements by way of subvention to the institution, the funds could hardly suddenly cater for the total expenditures of the institution resulting in backlogs of salaries and other allowances due to the lecturers and other workers.
The prolonged strike at AAUA had adversely affected the university community, with academic calendars disrupted and students left stranded.
Parents and stakeholders have expressed concerns that the impasse, if not urgently resolved, could further worsen the already fragile state of tertiary education in the country.