Olabisi Onabanjo SSANU Protests Against VC's Alleged Anti-Worker Policies
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) protested against Vice-Chancellor Professor Ayodeji Agboola, accusing him of making unilateral changes to university laws affecting congregation elections.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, staged a protest on Tuesday against Vice-Chancellor Professor Ayodeji Agboola’s alleged high-handedness and unilateral changes to university laws affecting congregation elections.
Led by SSANU Chairman Dr. Abiodun Lamina, the protest took place at the senate building, the venue for the congregation elections. The union demanded the repeal of what they termed illegal and detrimental actions by the VC. Lamina accused Professor Agboola of modifying the university’s laws without proper consultation or approval, which has led to divisions between teaching and non-teaching staff.
One controversial change allegedly mandates that only employees with a degree at the time of their employment can be members of the congregation, excluding those who obtained their degrees after joining the university. Lamina argued this move diminishes the influence of non-teaching staff in university committees.
Lamina stated, “The VC introduced illegal clauses regarding congregation elections into the senate and other committees. The law allows any degree holder in SSANU to participate, but the VC's new rule restricts it to those employed as degree holders.”
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Despite several letters urging the VC to follow due process, Lamina noted that Professor Agboola has remained unyielding, creating unnecessary crises. He called for Governor Dapo Abiodun's intervention and a return to the peaceful coexistence experienced during the tenures of previous Vice-Chancellors.
In response, Professor Agboola claimed the matter had been resolved, stating, “I have not changed or flouted any provision of the university edict. All regraded, upgraded, and converted staff were included in the list.”
The protest highlights the ongoing tension within the university community as staff members seek to ensure fairness and adherence to established laws.
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