From Appointment Letters to Financial Hardship: How UNILESA's workers face contractual discrepancies

By Mukhtar Ajelogbon 

Different sources have complained about the disturbing concerns bothered on University of Ilesa (UNILESA), over the welfare of hundreds of newly employed staff members in the Institution, with allegations of disputed remuneration structures, prolonged delay in payment of backlogs of salary, breach of contractual agreement and growing frustration among affected workers.

According to multiple sources familiar with the situation including some affected staff, some academic and non-academic staff members employed by the institution in the year 2025 most especially reportedly worked for several months without receiving corresponding salaries for those months till date despite continuous discharging of their official assignments.

The findings raise questions about staff welfare, contractual obligations and the challenges confronting one of Osun State's newest public universities.

EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT EARNING

Sources told OsunReporters News that many of the affected employees were recruited between January and September 2025 following a widely publicized state government initiative aimed at strengthening the university's academic and administrative capacity.

While the appointments were initially celebrated as a significant boost for the institution, affected workers claim that the excitement quickly gave way to anxiety as months passed without salary payments.

One source familiar with the matter alleged that some employees continued reporting to work daily for nearly ten months while awaiting their salaries. "As we speak, I'm being owed eight months salaries (between March and October, 2025) because the management started paying me in November 2025 despite being employed since March 2025.

"People kept showing up because they believed the issue would be resolved. Many had families to support, rent to pay and financial obligations they could no longer meet," affected staff said anonymously.

ALLEGATIONS OF INTIMIDATION

Sources further alleged that workers who attempted to raise concerns about any irregularities especially unpaid salaries faced intimidation.

According to accounts obtained during the investigation, some staff members who questioned management officials or sought explanations regarding delayed salaries and other observed irregularities reportedly received queries and warnings despite the white paper evidences on the matter.

OsunReporters News confirmed that disturbing concerns about staff welfare and payment of backlogs of several months staff salary became subjects of discussion among employees and stakeholders while waiting for the state government's intervention for months.

DELAYED PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING ARREARS

Investigations indicate that some workers eventually began receiving salaries around December 2025 after the issue attracted wider public attention.

However, salary payments commenced without corresponding settlement of all outstanding arrears accumulated during the months employees had already spent in service.

Documents and testimonies reviewed during the investigation suggest that approximately 200 workers and or above may have been affected by the delays, though the exact figure could not be independently confirmed.

"I resumed in January, 2025 as indicated in my employment letter, but I started receiving salary in November 2025 up till date. The backlog salaries between January and October 2025 were not paid up till now, and there is no green light at all for payment of this remuneration despite that I continuing discharging my official assignment, because the institution's management has never address this issue with us till moment." Source revealed. 

 Likewise other staff, even those who were employed after us till September or October, 2025 were also affected," one of the affected staff also anonymously revealed.

QUESTIONS OVER SALARY STRUCTURE

Beyond delayed payments of backlog of salaries, some employees have also raised concerns regarding discrepancies between the remuneration outlined in their employment letters and the amounts they are receiving on monthly basis.

Some affected staff members allege that their actual salaries, as appears in payslips, were grossly and continously lower than the figures contained in their appointment documents. "What I am earning monthly is far lower than the amount communicated to me in my appointment letter, hence I considered this act as a violation of contractual agreement". One staff disclosed. 

The allegations raise important questions regarding compliance with employment terms and contractual obligations.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION DISPUTE

Another issue highlighted during the investigation were denials of financial implication of backdated upgraded staffs, after completion of their higher academic qualification. 

"I was employed with my available degree certificate some months back even though i was rounding up my higher academic program at that moment. I communicated Unilesa management appropriately immediately the institution's Senate officially communicated me for successful completion of my higher degree program. The Unilesa management backdated my letter of upgrade to the date conveyed in my notification of result but Alas, they denied me financial implications of that backdate, as obtained in other counterparts Universities and in line with global practices, very painful". Another source told. 

The affected workers contend that such actions amount to a breach of the expectations created by their academic qualifications and subsequent submissions.

WHERE WAS ORGANIZED LABOUR?

Observers note that because UNILESA remains a relatively young institution, its local structures of staff unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have not yet attained the visibility and influence enjoyed by counterparts in older universities.

Some employees believe that a stronger and more vocal union presence could have accelerated efforts to address welfare concerns and protect staff interests.

A GROWING CONCERN FOR A YOUNG INSTITUTION

 

The University of Ilesa was established with the vision of becoming a centre of academic excellence and a catalyst for development in Osun State. However, the issues highlighted by this investigation have generated concerns about staff welfare, institutional sustainability and the treatment of workers entrusted with shaping future generations.

For many affected employees, the central question remains simple: how can educators, administrators and support staff effectively serve an institution when they are uncertain about their own financial survival?

At the time of filing this report, all efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the University of Ilesha proved abortive as telephone calls and message were not responded to.

However, as stakeholders await official responses and possible interventions by the state government, the experiences shared by affected workers serve as a reminder that the success of any university depends not only on infrastructure and policy but also on the welfare and dignity of those who keep its doors open every day.