A protest was held on Tuesday by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. They were protesting against what they claimed to be high-handedness by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Agboola.
The protest was also against the VC’s unilateral decision to change the university’s laws regarding congregation elections into the senate and other committees.
Led by Dr. Abiodun Lamina, the university’s senior staff marched to the senate building where the elections were scheduled to take place.
They demanded the repeal of what they deemed as illegal actions by the VC that were considered harmful to the university community and urged that the elections should not proceed under those conditions.
Lamina accused the VC of trying to change the university’s laws without proper consultation or approval.
According to Lamina, the VC has been unresponsive to their calls for adherence to due process despite several letters sent to him.
The union leader expressed concerns that the actions of the VC were causing divisions within the university, particularly between teaching and non-teaching staff.
Allegedly, Prof. Agboola specified that only employees who had a degree at the time of their employment could be part of the congregation, excluding those who obtained degrees after joining the university.
Lamina criticized this move, stating that it aimed to reduce the influence of non-teaching staff in various university committees.
The protest aimed to draw attention to the alleged unjust changes introduced by the VC without consultation and ignorance of the qualifications of staff members.
Lamina emphasized the importance of respecting the university’s laws and following the appropriate channels for any modifications.
The VC responded, stating that the issue had been resolved and that he had not breached any university directives.
In a message to our Correspondent, Agboola affirmed, “We have settled the matter. I assure you, I have not violated any university edicts.
He added, “All staff members who were regraded, upgraded, or changed positions were included in the list.”