By: Sunday Ameh
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of staff unions at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, has declared a two-day peaceful protest over what it described as unlawful actions by the institution’s Governing Council, including the continued tenure of the Council Chairman, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju.
The protest, scheduled for Thursday, February 26, and Friday, February 27, 2026, was announced following a congress of the unions held at the university auditorium on Wednesday.
The unions involved include the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), which collectively represent non-teaching and technical staff in Nigerian universities.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, Starnews NG also gathered that the unions rejected a directive by the Governing Council requiring that all communications from JAC be routed through the Vice-Chancellor before reaching the Council.
According to the unions, direct communication with the Council Chairman is procedurally appropriate and legally valid, particularly on matters concerning Council decisions.
They argued that the Ondo State Official Gazette (2008) establishing the university contains no provision mandating trade unions to channel correspondence through the Vice-Chancellor, noting that such procedures mainly apply to internal administrative matters or individual staff petitions.
JAC further expressed concern that routing communications through the Vice-Chancellor — who is a statutory member of the Council — could compromise neutrality when disputes involve Council decisions.
The unions also revisited what they described as the substantive dispute between staff and management, accusing the Council of refusing to approve recommendations made by the Appointments and Promotions Committee.
JAC demanded the immediate approval and implementation of the appointments of Mr. Franklin Olusola Akinpelumi and Mr. Paul Adeagbo as recommended by the statutory committee.
In addition, the unions questioned the continued stay in office of Professor Adesomoju as Chairman of the Governing Council, citing provisions of the Ondo State Official Gazette No. 17, Volume 33 of August 2008.
According to the unions, the law provides a four-year tenure for the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, renewable once for a maximum of eight years.
They alleged that Adesomoju, first appointed in March 2008 and subsequently reappointed in 2018 and again in 2022, has remained in office beyond the legally permissible tenure without formal dissolution of the Council.
The unions therefore declared that any Council meeting held after the expiration of the statutory tenure is “null and void.”
Protest Resolution
JAC said the peaceful protest became necessary following the Council’s insistence on enforcing the communication directive despite objections raised by the unions.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to institutional discipline, due process, and respect for constituted authority but insisted it would not compromise on legality and statutory compliance.
Despite the planned protest, the unions directed members assigned duties for the university’s forthcoming convocation ceremony scheduled for March 4, 2026, to carry out their responsibilities diligently.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Bamigbola Bobola Davies (NAAT), Comrade Olanrewaju Orisamika (SSANU), and Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi (NASU).
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