SSANU demands payment of 124 months’ hazard allowance, other arrears at AAUA
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Ondo State Government and the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), to settle outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements owed members of staff.
The demand was made on Thursday at the 80th Regular Zonal Executive Council Meeting of SSANU’s South-West Zone, held at the Nelson Mandela Hall of the university, where outstanding contributions to the institution and society were also recognised with awards.
Speaking at the meeting, the National Vice-President and Chairman of SSANU, South-West Zone, Dr Abdussobur Salaam, appealed to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene in the financial challenges confronting the university and facilitate the payment of workers’ outstanding entitlements.
Salaam said the concerns extended beyond SSANU members, noting that staff affiliated with other unions were also affected by the arrears. He stressed that prompt settlement of the outstanding obligations would boost workers’ morale and help sustain industrial harmony in the university.
Similarly, the SSANU-AAUA Chairman, Abiodun Olutayo Ogungbeni, listed the outstanding obligations as 54 months’ arrears of the 2019 minimum wage, 11 months of the 25/35 per cent 2023 salary adjustment and 124 months of hazard allowance. He also demanded the payment of promotional and incremental arrears dating from 2023, excess workload allowances, third-party deductions, including cooperative funds, and the July 2026 salary, as well as entitlements of reabsorbed staff and gratuities and pensions owed to retirees since 2008.
Beyond the financial obligations, Ogungbeni called for a comprehensive review of the university’s senior staff career structure to reflect current realities in Nigerian universities. He said the existing structure had hindered the career progression of qualified staff, noting that there was currently no CONTISS 15 staff despite the availability of qualified personnel.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of AAUA, Professor Tomola Obamuyi, assured the association that the university management would consider the issues raised and work towards finding lasting solutions.
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Ondo State Attorney-General, Adekola Olawoye Adewoye, and the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Leke Adegbite, were among those honoured at the meeting. Adewoye appreciated the recognition, while Adegbite pledged continued journalistic efforts towards addressing societal challenges and urged stakeholders to support the development of the university.
