….Union commends Ogun government, seeks continuity in staff welfare, governance reforms
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Olabisi Onabanjo University Branch, has lauded the outgoing Governing Council of the institution for fostering industrial peace, respecting university autonomy and implementing reforms that, it said, have repositioned the university for sustained growth.
In a statement issued by its Chairperson, Dr Yinusa Olumuyiwa Ganiyu, to mark the end of the council’s tenure, the union described the last four years as one of the most stable and progressive periods in the history of the institution.
ASUU said the council’s leadership contributed to uninterrupted academic activities, improved staff welfare, strengthened governance structures, enhanced institutional reputation and renewed public confidence in the university.
The union noted that the council distinguished itself by respecting the statutory roles of the university’s management, senate and other governing organs, rather than interfering in their responsibilities.
According to the statement, the council’s adherence to due process and institutional autonomy strengthened accountability and administrative efficiency.
ASUU also commended the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement without industrial action, describing it as a major achievement that set Olabisi Onabanjo University apart from many public universities where implementation was delayed.
The union added that the university had already earned a reputation as one of the better-paying state-owned universities in Nigeria before the implementation of the agreement, saying the commitment to staff welfare had boosted productivity and sustained industrial harmony.
It further praised the council’s assurance that agreements affecting other staff unions would be implemented once the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission released the relevant salary structures.
The union equally applauded the Ogun State Government for creating what it described as an enabling environment that allowed the university to exercise its statutory responsibilities without undue political interference.
ASUU maintained that the experience at OOU demonstrated that respect for university autonomy remained essential for academic excellence, innovation, sound governance and sustainable institutional development.
The union highlighted several achievements recorded during the council’s tenure, including the National Universities Commission’s full accreditation of more than 50 academic programmes, increased student enrolment, stronger alumni engagement and expanded collaborations with local and international organisations.
It also commended the approval of revised Conditions of Service and Promotion Criteria in December 2025, describing the policy as a long-awaited reform that modernised personnel administration in line with global best practices.
According to ASUU, promotion exercises were conducted transparently and promptly throughout the council’s tenure, with no outstanding promotion cases awaiting approval.
The union disclosed that the 2026 promotion exercise had already commenced and expressed optimism that successful candidates would receive their promotion letters by October.
ASUU also attributed the stability of the university’s academic calendar and the elimination of convocation backlogs to effective planning and sound administration.
While appreciating the Vice-Chancellor, university management, sister unions, alumni and development partners for their contributions to the institution’s progress, the union stressed that sustainable funding remained critical to the future of public universities.
It urged the Ogun State Government and whoever succeeds Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2027 to sustain ongoing reforms and continue appointing competent, experienced and credible individuals to the university’s governing council.
“The outgoing Governing Council has demonstrated that peace, staff welfare, university autonomy, academic excellence, institutional accountability and visionary governance are mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable university development,” the statement read.
ASUU reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with stakeholders in advancing the university’s vision of becoming a globally competitive institution driven by academic excellence, innovation and public service.
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