Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), owned by the Ondo State Government, have threatened to disrupt the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation ceremony if their outstanding salaries remain unpaid.
The lecturers, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have been on strike since last month over non-payment of salaries and arrears — a situation that has crippled academic and social activities on campus.
Chairman of AAUA ASUU, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi, accused the government of insensitivity, saying lecturers had endured severe hardship.
“We have been patient and tolerant for long, but this time we won’t be again. Our people have been pushed to the wall. We are not seeing any effort that signals the state government is ready to do the right thing,” Oshodi said.
According to him, the union had made efforts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, but without success. He added that members were left with no option but to press harder, stressing that many lecturers were conducting examinations “on an empty stomach.”
However, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the institution.
Ajibefun maintained that the Aiyedatiwa-led administration had been engaging with the striking lecturers and assured that the issues would soon be resolved.
“The state government has consistently released monthly subventions to its tertiary institutions, including AAUA, without delay,” the commissioner stated.
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