Ondo varsity workers reject govt’s planned staff audit
By Boye Oyeyemi
Workers at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, have rejected the Ondo State Government’s proposed staff verification exercise, condemning it as an unacceptable breach of institutional autonomy.
According to a joint position paper signed by Bamigbola Bobola on behalf of NAAT, NASU, and SSANU, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning lacks any legal mandate to carry out the audit.
The trade unions argued that staff recruitment, promotion, discipline, and internal verification fall strictly within the exclusive jurisdiction of the university’s Governing Council under established legislation.
To reinforce their stance, the workers cited both the university’s 2007 establishment law and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, which explicitly vest all administrative power in the council.
Furthermore, the unions raised serious data protection and labour concerns, highlighting the unwarranted demand for sensitive personal details such as Bank Verification Numbers and National Identification Numbers.
Although the workers insisted that they do not oppose general accountability, they demanded an immediate suspension of the exercise until it is properly channelled through the Governing Council and university management.
Consequently, union leadership has instructed all staff members to boycott any verification scheme that lacks council authorization and prior formal engagement.
Emphasising their legitimate status, the unions reiterated that they are not ghost workers, but duly appointed personnel who insist that proper constitutional processes must be respected.
