The Osun State Government has responded to claims made by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, against the Osun State University, UNIOSUN.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, made the clarification in a statement issued in Osogbo over the weekend.
This was in response to a communique ASUU released on September 5, at the end of its National Emergency Meeting in Abuja.
ASUU had accused UNIOSUN of failing to implement the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, ASUU agreement, among other governance issues.
The state government said it respects ASUU’s right to express its views, but insisted some claims in the union’s statement needed correction.
Alimi said it was surprising that ASUU commended some state governments for implementing the 2025 agreement, yet failed to acknowledge Osun’s efforts.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Osun State Government has implemented the Federal Government/ASUU agreement at Osun State University, even before the Federal Government and has also commenced payment of the applicable arrears,” he said.
He added that Governor Ademola Adeleke was the second governor, after his Ekiti State counterpart, to approve the implementation of the agreement.
“The omission of Osun State from ASUU’s commendation of States that have commenced implementation is therefore surprising and inexplicable. The Osun State Government considers this omission as mischief. Our commitment to staff welfare is unparalleled and the records in our University speak to this claim,” Alimi said.
The commissioner said the state government rejects any suggestion that it has been indifferent to academic staff welfare or failed to meet its obligations under the agreement.
He argued it was unfair to suggest Osun had taken a similar stance to federal universities where issues like unpaid salaries and deductions remain unresolved.
On UNIOSUN’s legal status, Alimi faulted ASUU’s claim that the Osun State University Law is a domesticated version of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
He said UNIOSUN has its own establishment law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly and is governed by its own legislation and statutory framework.
“Consequently, the attempt by ASUU to present the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as though it is the controlling legislation for UNIOSUN is legally misconceived,” he said.
According to him, the university’s existence, powers and governance structure come from its own enabling legislation, not federal law.
The government also rejected ASUU’s position on the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor, describing as incorrect the suggestion that the decision was an arbitrary executive action.
Alimi said the matter followed the appropriate constitutional and legislative processes, and that the Osun State House of Assembly amended the relevant provisions of the UNIOSUN Establishment Law following the Visitor’s decision.
“The government therefore finds it difficult to understand the basis upon which ASUU, a trade union, seeks to substitute its interpretation for that of the constitutionally empowered institutions of government,” he said.
He added that an existing law can be amended by the legislature, subject to the Constitution and applicable procedures.
The commissioner rejected the description of the legislative intervention as an attempt to undermine the rule of law, saying the amendment itself was an exercise of the rule of law.
He said the state government remains committed to due process, constitutional governance and the supremacy of the law.
Alimi also expressed concern over attempts to portray the UNIOSUN matter as an existential crisis capable of triggering industrial action.
“UNIOSUN remains open, functional and focused on its core mandates of teaching, research, innovation and community service,” he said.
“There is therefore no basis for portraying Osun State University as an institution in crisis or a bad example. We operate our State University using the legally recognised and approved procedure. We are not telling other States to do like us. Every State has its own rule and system of operation,” he added.
While acknowledging ASUU as an important stakeholder in the university system, Alimi said the union does not have statutory authority to exercise or direct powers vested in the Visitor, Governing Council, university administration or Osun State House of Assembly.
He urged ASUU leadership to verify its facts before issuing statements that could inflame passions or create an impression of instability.
“It is particularly important that a union of academics should be guided by facts, evidence and the applicable law,” he said.
Alimi, however, said the state government remains willing to engage ASUU on issues concerning academic staff welfare.
He said the government’s doors remain open to responsible engagement, stressing that every stakeholder must operate within the law and respect constitutionally established institutions.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
