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 are not paid.

The lecturers, under the umbrella of the 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 paralyzed academic and social activities on campus.

Speaking, the chairman of AAUA ASUU, Dr Boluwaji Oshodi, said the lecturers had exercised enough patience over the alleged refusal of the government to address their plight.

“We have been patient and tolerant for a long time, but this time, we won’t be again. Our people have been pushed to the wall. We are not seeing any efforts that can signal that the state government is ready to do the right thing,” Oshodi said.

He stressed that despite several requests, 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,” yet continued to show commitment to their students and the institution.

Oshodi further lamented the neglect of the university, saying the institution had not received adequate government funding for the past seven years.

“If you get to AAUA today, you will be disappointed, even though it is a pioneer university of the state. No capital project has been carried out by the state government in the last seven years.

“The access road is in a deplorable state, lecture rooms, hostels, and offices are in bad condition, and most of the visible structures on campus are TETFUND projects,” he added.

But in a swift reaction, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the institution.

Ajibefun explained that the state government had been engaging with the striking lecturers to resolve the dispute, assuring that the issues would soon be addressed.

He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration had continued to release monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA, without delay. (The Nation)