Osun Government Says UNIOSUN is Leading Implementer of 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement 

By Tiamiyu KAZEEM

Osun State Government has said Osun State University, UNIOSUN, was among the first institutions to implement the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement, and has already begun payment of applicable arrears to academic staff.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Osogbo and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government faulted the National Executive Council of ASUU for failing to acknowledge Osun’s efforts in its communique of September 5, 2026.

The government described the omission as “surprising and inexplicable,” adding that Governor Ademola Adeleke was the second governor, after Ekiti, to approve the new salary structure.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Osun State Government has implemented the Federal Government/ASUU agreement at Osun State University, even before the Federal Government and has also commenced payment of the applicable arrears,” the statement read.

“Our commitment to staff welfare is unparalleled and the records in our University speak to this claim.”

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

It clarified that UNIOSUN operates under its own Establishment Law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly, and is governed by its Visitor, Governing Council and other statutory organs.

“Consequently, the attempt by ASUU to present the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as though it is the controlling legislation for UNIOSUN is legally misconceived,” Alimi stated.

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

Addressing concerns over the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor, the government said the matter followed due constitutional and legislative process. It noted that the Osun State House of Assembly amended the relevant sections of the UNIOSUN Establishment Law after a decision by the Visitor.

“A law made by the legislature can, subject to the Constitution and applicable legislative procedure, be amended by the legislature,” the statement added.

“It is therefore misleading to describe the legislative intervention as an attempt to undermine the rule of law.”

The state government further rejected suggestions that UNIOSUN was in crisis or that the situation could trigger industrial action.

“UNIOSUN remains 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,” it said.

While acknowledging ASUU as an important stakeholder, the government said the union does not have statutory authority to direct the powers vested in the Visitor, Governing Council, University administration or the House of Assembly.

It called on ASUU leadership to “verify its facts before issuing statements that could unnecessarily inflame passions,” and reaffirmed its readiness for constructive engagement based on facts, law and dialogue rather than threats.

“The doors of the Osun State Government remain open to responsible engagement with ASUU and all other stakeholders,” the statement concluded.