By Zainab Adinoyi
Oye-Ekiti, September 11, 2025 – The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has been plunged into fresh turmoil as non-teaching staff staged a massive protest on Thursday, accusing the Governing Council of hijacking the day-to-day running of the institution and approving the purchase of off-campus buildings at a staggering cost of ₦900 million, while staff allowances, welfare, and campus development remain neglected.
The protest, jointly organised by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), saw angry workers carrying placards with inscriptions such as:
“₦900 Million for Outside Buildings? Staff Still Unpaid!”
“Ndoma-Egba, Hands Off FUOYE!”
“No August Salary, No Peace in FUOYE!”
“Pay Our Arrears, Respect Our Rights!”
“We Need Offices, Not Fraudulent Purchases!”
The Governing Council, chaired by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), is being accused of usurping management’s role by directly interfering in appointments of Heads of Units and Departments, which unions described as “a blatant violation of due process” and “an erosion of university autonomy.”
Union leaders condemned the Council’s decision to approve external building acquisitions worth ₦900 million, describing it as reckless, wasteful, and insensitive at a time when staff salaries and allowances are unpaid and campus infrastructure remains dilapidated.
A union leader thundered:
> “How can a Governing Council approve ₦900 million for buildings that do not solve our problems, while workers go hungry and offices on campus remain uninhabitable? This is nothing but misplaced priorities.”
Protest Resolutions
At a Joint Congress of SSANU, NAAT, and NASU FUOYE Branch held on Thursday, members resolved to embark on a three-day protest to press home their demands, which include:
1. Immediate and full payment of outstanding relocation allowances.
2. Release of August 2025 salaries without delay.
3. Settlement of salary arrears owed to staff employed in 2020 and 2021.
4. Cancellation of the ₦900 million off-campus purchase plan.
5. Construction of befitting offices and provision of adequate office equipment.
6. Removal of “sit-tight” Heads of Units and restoration of rotation of offices.
7. Respect for the Scheme of Service in recruitment and promotions.
8. An end to double-standard advertisements that undermine staff career progression.
9. Non-interference of the Governing Council in the day-to-day administration of the university.
The Congress warned that failure to meet these demands would force unions to escalate their actions in defense of their rights and dignity.
ASUU Joins Strike
Compounding the crisis, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUOYE Branch, has declared a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike over the non-payment of salaries. The action is in line with its National Executive Council (NEC) directive mandating lecturers nationwide to down tools if salaries are delayed beyond the third of the month.
What’s at Stake
With both academic and non-teaching staff now on industrial action, FUOYE faces the prospect of a total shutdown. The unions warned they are on a “war path” with the Governing Council and vowed to sustain protests until all demands are met.
Observers fear the crisis could:
Further erode FUOYE’s credibility and academic ranking.
Deepen distrust between staff and management.
Undermine teaching, research, and service delivery at the institution.
The unions have called on the Federal Government, stakeholders, and the Nigerian public to intervene and compel the Governing Council to prioritize staff welfare, transparency, and genuine campus development over what they described as “wasteful and self-serving projects.”
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