Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have threatened to halt the planned resumption of students and disrupt the institution’s forthcoming convocation ceremony over unpaid salaries and arrears.
The lecturers, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have been on strike since last month, a move that has crippled academic and social activities on campus.
Chairman of the AAUA ASUU chapter, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi, accused the state government of failing to address the plight of the lecturers despite several appeals.
“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, adding that members had endured difficult conditions, including conducting examinations “on an empty stomach.”
He further disclosed that attempts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had not yielded results.
Reacting to the development, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the institution. He explained that engagements were ongoing with the union to resolve the impasse.
According to him, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has continued to release monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA, without delay. He assured that the issues would soon be addressed.
The standoff raises concerns over the smooth conduct of the new academic session and the upcoming convocation ceremony, which are now at risk of disruption if the salary crisis persists.
