ASUU debunks report of AAU reinstating unpaid workers

‍The Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized a recent report claiming that the institution has reinstated unpaid staff to its payroll. The union described the report, published in the university’s November 6, 2024, bulletin, as misleading, provocative, and deceptive. The bulletin stated that the names of “removed staff have been reinstated to the payroll” and that salaries owed for several months were being paid.

In a joint statement released in Ekpoma, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and Dr. William Odion, the local ASUU Chairman and Assistant Secretary, accused the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Olowo, and the Dr. Frank Odafen-led Governing Council of using the announcement as a cover to continue the victimization of staff. They claimed the administration of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the now-dissolved Special Intervention Team (SIT) were responsible for the denial of salaries to some staff members.

The unionists stated that, as of November 2024, many academic staff who are ASUU members had not received salaries for up to 34 months despite repeatedly petitioning the university authorities and governing council. They described the situation as dehumanizing, unjust, and evil, noting that no misconduct or rule violations had been cited against the affected staff. These staff members, they emphasized, continued to perform their academic duties, including teaching, research, and community service.

Onogbosele and Odion also criticized the university administration for its failure to restore ASUU membership dues, which were stopped in March 2022 under the former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sonnie Adagbonyin. They revealed that dues totaling over ₦27 million, deducted between September 2020 and December 2020, and January 2021 to November 2021, had not been remitted.

The union further dismissed claims in the bulletin that the Governing Council was properly constituted and that elections were conducted to fill vacant positions in accordance with the law, calling these assertions false.