Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) branch, has warned that the prolonged industrial crisis and inadequate attention to lecturers’ welfare could trigger further exodus of academic staff from the institution.
The union said some lecturers had already left the university for other institutions, citing concerns over welfare, working conditions and the uncertainty created by repeated industrial disputes.
The ASUU Chairman, AAUA branch, Professor Bolu Oshodi, disclosed this while reacting to the ongoing strike and the recent approval by the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of a 60 percent increase in the monthly subvention to state-owned tertiary institutions.
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The governor had also approved the implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement in the state-owned tertiary institutions, a move expected to address some of the grievances of university workers.
However, Oshodi said the announcement alone was not enough to persuade the union to suspend the strike, insisting that the government must translate the approval into actual payment and implementation.
According to him, lecturers are awaiting the payment of outstanding arrears dating back to January, stressing that the union would only consider suspending the industrial action when the financial commitments were reflected in workers’ bank accounts.
“We will call off the strike when we receive alert in our bank accounts. Alert of the implementation and the arrears starting from January, that is when we will suspend the strike,” he said.
Oshodi explained that the position of the branch was based on the directive of the union’s national leadership that implementation of the agreement should commence immediately, alongside payment of arrears owed to workers from January.
“The issue now is that the mandate from the national body is that the implementation should commence immediately and the arrears from January should be paid,” he added.
Beyond the immediate issue of the strike, the ASUU chairman confirmed that some lecturers had already left AAUA for other universities, describing such movement as a personal decision by academics who felt their welfare needs were not being adequately addressed.
“Leaving the system is a personal decision. So, if some lecturers feel they are not getting the level of satisfaction they deserve in terms of welfare and other benefits, they can choose to move to another system.
“To some extent, that is true, because I know about three or four people who have moved to different universities,” Oshodi said.
The development has raised fresh concerns about the ability of AAUA to retain experienced academic staff amid recurring industrial disputes and unresolved welfare issues.
A lecturer at the university, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the institution’s reliance on government funding for salaries, allowances and other operational needs had made prolonged delays a major concern.
The lecturer warned that continued funding challenges could lower staff morale and make it increasingly difficult for AAUA to attract and retain experienced academics, particularly those who have opportunities to move to institutions with better working conditions and welfare packages.
The lecturer said it could have wider implications for teaching, research and the quality of academic activities if more experienced lecturers continue to leave the institution.
He, however, said the immediate priority remains the implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement and payment of outstanding arrears before any decision is taken to suspend the strike.
The union’s position means that Aiyedatiwa’s recent intervention, though welcomed as a significant step, may not immediately end the crisis unless the approved measures are translated into actual payments and implementation.