By Law Ibitoye
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) at Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), has threatened to down tools if the Ekiti State Government fails to urgently address their demands.
The union leaders—Comrades Tope Babalola, SSANU Chairman; Ayotunde Ojo, NASU Chairman; and Ademola Adeboye, NAAT Chairman—issued the warning at a press conference on Wednesday. They appealed to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to urgently intervene in the worsening financial situation at the university, particularly the payment of salary arrears, inadequate monthly subvention and the poor state of the institution’s internal road network.
According to the unions, about 11 months of the outstanding 25
percent salary increment remained unpaid, while workers were also yet to receive their July and August salaries. They said the situation had subjected members and their families to severe financial hardship, particularly as parents were preparing for the resumption of schools in September.
The workers argued that the university’s current monthly subvention was no longer adequate to meet its financial obligations, following the implementation of recent salary agreements which had significantly increased the institution’s wage bill. They maintained that internally generated revenue and students’ school fees were insufficient to bridge the funding gap, making increased government support imperative for the sustainability of the university.
The unions also called on the state government to fulfil its outstanding infrastructural commitments, particularly the construction of the university’s internal road network, which they said was promised by the Governor in 2024 but had yet to commence. They further appealed to the government to furnish the Senate Building donated to the institution by its Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Asiwaju of Ikere Kingdom.
While acknowledging that the university has now received a capital grant from the Ekiti State Government, alongside interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), students and members of the Ikere community, the unions stressed that such interventions should complement, rather than replace, the government’s responsibility to adequately fund its institution. They disclosed that they had also sought an audience with Governor Oyebanji after his re-election but were yet to receive a response.
The unions maintained that they were not out to confront the government, stressing their preference for dialogue and constructive engagement. They, however, warned that failure to urgently address their demands, could force them to embark on industrial action. The unions appealed to Governor Oyebanji to intervene promptly to avert disruption of academic and administrative activities at BOUESTI.
The union leaders also expressed appreciation to the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adejimi Adu, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and other sons and daughters of Ikere-Ekiti for their continued support and interventions towards the development and progress of the university.
