Osun Challenges ASUU Claims, Says UNIOSUN Operates Under Its Own Law, Not Federal Universities Act

Oriontimes News Desk | September 12, 2026

 The Osun State Government has strongly rejected claims by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) regarding the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement and the governance structure of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), insisting that the state remains one of the leading implementers of the agreement and that the university is operating within the provisions of its own establishment law.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government expressed concern over what it described as misleading impressions created by ASUU following the union's National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on September 5, 2026.

The government noted that while ASUU commended several state governments for commencing implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, it failed to acknowledge Osun State's efforts despite what officials described as significant progress in implementing the agreement.

According to the statement, Governor Ademola Adeleke approved the implementation of the agreement shortly after Ekiti State and had already commenced payment of the associated arrears.

"It is on record that Governor Ademola Adeleke is the second to approve the salary after Ekiti State," the government stated, adding that the omission of Osun from ASUU's list of compliant states was both surprising and difficult to justify.

The government further rejected any suggestion that it had neglected the welfare of academic staff, maintaining that its record at UNIOSUN demonstrates a strong commitment to workers' welfare and institutional development.

Addressing ASUU's position on the legal status of UNIOSUN, the government argued that the union's assertion that the university's law is merely a domesticated version of the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act was inaccurate.

The state maintained that UNIOSUN derives its authority from an establishment law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly and is therefore governed by its own legal framework, including provisions regulating the powers of the Visitor, Governing Council and other statutory organs.

The statement emphasized that the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act does not serve as the controlling legislation for UNIOSUN and warned against applying federal university governance provisions to a state-owned institution with its own enabling law.

The government also defended recent developments concerning the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor, dismissing allegations that the process represented executive interference or a violation of due process.

According to the state, the matter passed through constitutionally recognized procedures, including legislative action by the Osun State House of Assembly, which amended relevant provisions of the university's establishment law.

"The legislative amendment is itself an exercise of the rule of law," the statement argued, insisting that the Assembly possesses the constitutional authority to amend laws enacted within its jurisdiction.

The government expressed concern over what it described as attempts to portray UNIOSUN as an institution facing a governance crisis capable of triggering industrial action.

Officials maintained that the university remains stable, functional and focused on its core mandates of teaching, research, innovation and community service.

The administration also cautioned ASUU against making statements that could generate unnecessary tension or create perceptions of instability within the institution.

While acknowledging ASUU's role as a major stakeholder in the university system and its contributions to the welfare of academic staff, the government stressed that the union does not possess statutory authority over decisions legally vested in the Visitor, Governing Council, university administration or the Osun State House of Assembly.

The Osun State Government reaffirmed its willingness to engage constructively with ASUU on matters affecting academic staff but emphasized that such engagement must be guided by facts, applicable laws and dialogue rather than what it described as assumptions and threats of industrial action.

The government reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its obligations to university workers, supporting the continued growth of UNIOSUN and defending the authority of constitutionally recognized institutions responsible for the governance of the university.

It added that while its doors remain open to engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders, all parties must operate within the bounds of the law and respect the powers of duly established institutions.

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