The Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Professor Babatola Ayodele, has revealed that the institution has emerged as the first state university to implement the newly approved salary structure for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

It would be recalled that the Federal Government and ASUU signed a new agreement in January 2026, officially introducing a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers.

The agreement, which took effect from January 1, 2026, brought to an end a 16-year dispute surrounding the 2009 pact.

Ayodele, who spoke while addressing newsmen on Tuesday ahead of the 30th convocation ceremony of the university, explained that the new salary structure for academic staff was implemented in the March 2026 salary payment.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the ASUU leadership for their support and understanding over the past one and a half years since his appointment, promising to prioritise the welfare of all workers towards achieving the university’s mandate of providing quality education.

“I am proud at this juncture to report that, with the uncommon support of our amiable Visitor to the University and Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as well as our dynamic Governing Council, ably led by Professor Akin Oyebode, EKSU has become the first state university in Nigeria to implement the recently approved salary structure for ASUU, as all members of our EKSU chapter received the new salaries with effect from March 2026,” he said.

He added that the university would also be willing to implement new salary structures for non-teaching staff once such agreements are finalised and signed by the Federal Government.

On the forthcoming 30th convocation ceremony, the VC disclosed that a total of 10,959 students would be graduating from the institution, with 82 students bagging First Class degrees across undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes.

According to him, the convocation lecture will be delivered by the Chairman of Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodeji Omole. The lecture, titled “Power, Responsibility and Stewardship: Balancing the Barricade with Governance,” is scheduled for April 8.

He further revealed that two alumni of the university, Abayomi Adeyeri and Akinsanmi Falaki, would be conferred with honorary Doctor of Finance degrees, “having been considered worthy by the appropriate organs of the university, in line with our convention and in recognition of their unique multiple leadership roles and services to humanity.”

They are to be decorated alongside other graduates during the convocation ceremony slated for Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Ayodele, who was appointed Vice-Chancellor in August 2024, disclosed that the university has recorded multiple achievements under his leadership, including improved stability of academic programmes and the academic calendar.

“Kudos must be given to our Governor and Visitor to the university, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for providing an enabling environment that has guaranteed the stability of our academic calendar for scholarship to thrive. EKSU will continue to do her best to sustain this rating and remain a shining light in the South-Western states of Nigeria, and indeed the entire country.

“Within the past one year, there have been notable landmarks in the expansion of academic programmes and faculties. The number of faculties has increased from twelve (12) to fourteen (14),” he said, adding that more globally recognised academic programmes would soon be introduced.

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that research grants worth ₦109 million were recently attracted to the university through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He added that a student of the College of Medicine, Oladipo Daniel, won a Federal Government award of ₦50,000 for student-led innovation and venture capital grant.

He solicited the support of individuals and organisations in the provision of infrastructure, particularly laboratories and lecture theatres, “in order for us to fulfil our mandate.”

Ayodele further appealed to the state governor and visitor to the university, Biodun Oyebanji, to consider granting the College of Medicine autonomous funding status, noting that “this will go a long way in helping us effectively run the capital-intensive college towards producing competent and qualified medical experts.” (Nigerian Tribune)