Osun Govt to ASUU: UNIOSUN is a leading implementer of FGN-ASUU Agreement

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Government has described as mischievous and inexplicable the failure of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to acknowledge the state’s efforts in implementing the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement at Osun State University (UNIOSUN), insisting that the institution is a leading implementer of the pact.

In a statement issued in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government said it was responding to a press release by ASUU’s National Executive Council at the end of its emergency meeting held in Abuja on Saturday, 5 September 2026, particularly the portions relating to the implementation of the agreement and the governance of UNIOSUN.

While acknowledging ASUU’s constitutional and statutory right to express its views and advocate for the welfare of its members, the government said it was necessary to correct “certain misleading impressions” in the union’s statement, especially where such claims concern the commitment and performance of the Osun State Government.

“It is particularly curious that ASUU’s statement, while commending a number of state governments for commencing implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, failed to acknowledge the demonstrable efforts of the Osun State Government in this regard,” the statement read.

The government stated that it had implemented the agreement at UNIOSUN even before the Federal Government and had commenced payment of the applicable arrears, noting that Governor Ademola Adeleke was the second governor, after Ekiti State, to approve the salary.

“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,” it said.

The government rejected any insinuation that it had been indifferent to the welfare of academic staff or that it had failed to honour its obligations under the agreement, noting that while ASUU itself acknowledged that several issues remained outstanding in the federal university system, including unpaid portions of withheld salaries and deductions, it was unfair to create the impression that Osun State had adopted a similar posture towards its own university.

The government also faulted ASUU’s claim that the Osun State University Law is a domesticated version of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012, describing the assertion as incorrect.

“Osun State University has its own Establishment Law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly. The university is therefore governed by its enabling legislation and the statutory framework applicable to its organs, including the Visitor, the Governing Council and other duly constituted authorities of the institution,” the statement said.

It added that the attempt by ASUU to present the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as though it were the controlling legislation for UNIOSUN was “legally misconceived,” stressing that the university does not derive its existence, powers and governance structure from the federal law.

“This distinction is not merely semantic. It is fundamental to any serious legal analysis of the governance of UNIOSUN,” the government said.

Tenure of Vice-Chancellor: Government Defends Legislative Process

The government further rejected the suggestion that the decision concerning the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor was an arbitrary executive action designed to circumvent the law, explaining that the matter had been subjected to the appropriate constitutional and legislative process permitted under Osun State law.

“Following the decision of the Visitor, the Osun State House of Assembly exercised its legislative authority to amend the relevant provisions of the Osun State University Establishment Law,” it said.

The government said it found it difficult to understand the basis upon which ASUU, “a trade union,” sought to substitute its interpretation for that of the constitutionally empowered institutions of government, adding that a law made by the legislature can, subject to the Constitution and applicable legislative procedure, be amended by the legislature.

“It is therefore misleading to describe the legislative intervention as an attempt to undermine the rule of law. On the contrary, the legislative amendment is itself an exercise of the rule of law. The Osun State Government remains committed to due process, constitutional governance and the supremacy of law,” the statement said.

No Crisis in UNIOSUN, Says Govt

The government expressed particular concern about attempts to frame the UNIOSUN issue as an existential crisis capable of precipitating industrial action, insisting that the university remained open, functional and focused on its core mandates of teaching, research, innovation and community service.

“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,” it said.

While acknowledging ASUU as a recognised and important stakeholder in the university system whose contributions to the welfare of academic staff are appreciated, the government said being a stakeholder does not confer on the union the statutory authority to exercise or direct the powers vested in the Visitor, the Governing Council, the university administration or the Osun State House of Assembly.

It consequently called on the leadership of ASUU to verify its facts before issuing statements that could unnecessarily inflame passions or create an impression of institutional instability.

“It is particularly important that a union of academics should be guided by facts, evidence and the applicable law. If ASUU wishes to engage the Osun State Government on the welfare of academic staff, the government remains prepared to engage constructively. But such engagement must be based on facts rather than assumptions, law rather than conjecture, and dialogue rather than threats of industrial action,” the statement said.

The government said it would continue to honour its legitimate obligations to academic staff, support the growth and development of UNIOSUN and defend the statutory authority of the duly constituted organs of the university and the state, adding that it would not be distracted by attempts to create unnecessary tension around an institution that remains stable and committed to academic excellence.

“The doors of the Osun State Government remain open to responsible engagement with ASUU and all other stakeholders. However, the government will continue to insist that every stakeholder, including ASUU, must operate within the bounds of the law and respect the authority of constitutionally and statutorily established institutions,” the statement concluded.

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