Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), owned by Ondo State Government, have threatened to disrupt the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation, if their outstanding salaries are not paid.
The lecturers, under the umbrella of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), embarked on strike last month over the non-payment of their salaries and arrears, a development that has since paralysed academic and social activities on campus.
The Chairman of AAUA ASUU, Dr Boluwaji Oshodi, said the lecturers had exercised enough patience over the alleged refusal by the government to address their plight.
‘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 can signal that the state government is ready to do the right thing,’ Oshodi said.
He said efforts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had been unsuccessful.
According to him, lecturers had endured harsh conditions, including conducting examinations ‘on an empty stomach.’
Reacting, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the institution.
He said the state government had been engaging with the striking lecturers to resolve the dispute and assured people that the issues would soon be addressed.
He said Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration had continued to release monthly subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA, without delay.