Non-academic staff unions at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), have threatened a total shutdown of academic and administrative activities over alleged poor funding, unpaid salary arrears and inadequate government subvention.

The unions, operating under the umbrella of the institution’s non-academic staff body, appealed to the Ekiti State Government to urgently increase the monthly subvention allocated to the university.

The affected unions include the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The unions made their position known during a joint press conference held at the university campus in Ikere-Ekiti.

Unions Say Talks With Management Failed

Addressing journalists on behalf of the unions, the BOUESTI Chairman of SSANU, Tope Babalola, said several meetings and engagements with the university management over the welfare of staff and the institution’s financial challenges had failed to produce the desired results.

Babalola said the unions had reached a point where further discussions with the management could no longer address the underlying financial problems confronting the institution.

According to him, the responsibility for ensuring the financial sustainability of the university ultimately rests with the Ekiti State Government.

“The unions have repeatedly appealed to the University Management on several occasions concerning the worsening financial situation of the institution and the welfare of members of staff. Unfortunately, these engagements have not produced the necessary intervention.

“We have therefore reached the point where we are tired of repeatedly meeting with Management over a problem that Management itself cannot fundamentally resolve. The university belongs to the Government and ultimately bears responsibility for ensuring its financial sustainability,” he said.

BOUESTI Staff Owed 11 Months Arrears

The union leaders said members of staff were being owed 11 months in outstanding arrears, while the August salary had yet to be paid.

They attributed the worsening financial situation partly to the implementation of the 2025/2026 salary agreement signed with academic and non-academic staff, which they said had significantly increased the university’s monthly wage bill.

Babalola said the financial pressure on the institution had made an upward review of the government’s monthly subvention inevitable.

“This appeal has become necessary in view of the prevailing financial realities confronting the university, particularly the implementation of the signed 2025/2026 salary agreement with academic and non-academic staff, which has brought about a surge in the wage bill of the university,” he stated.

Unions Question Ekiti’s Funding Priorities

The unions also expressed concern that the increasing federal allocations received by Ekiti State had not translated into increased financial support for BOUESTI.

They argued that as resources available to the state government increase, the university should receive a corresponding increase in its monthly subvention.

“We are equally concerned that the increasing federal allocations accruing to Ekiti State have not been matched by a corresponding increase in the financial support being provided to the university.

“We understand that government has many competing responsibilities. Nevertheless, education remains one of the most important investments any government can make in the future of its people.

“As federal resources available to the State increase, we believe that the University should receive a commensurate increase in subvention to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively,” the unions said.

BOUESTI Unions Call on Oyebanji to Intervene

The non-academic union leaders specifically appealed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to take urgent and decisive steps to address the financial challenges facing the institution.

They noted that several projects within the university were largely funded through interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and internally generated revenue, including students’ school fees.

According to the unions, TETFund interventions and revenue generated from students cannot replace the statutory responsibility of the state government to adequately fund its university.

“While we appreciate the invaluable intervention of TETFund, it is important to emphasise that TETFund intervention cannot absolve the government of its responsibility to provide capital funding for its University.

“The University cannot develop sustainably on students’ fees and occasional external intervention alone. At a time when substantial resources continue to accrue to Ekiti State from the Federal Government, we believe that the State Government can and should do more for its University,” they said.

Unions Recall Oyebanji’s Unfulfilled Promises

The unions also recalled promises allegedly made by Governor Oyebanji regarding infrastructure development at the university.

They said the governor had promised the construction of the university’s internal road network since 2024, but expressed concern that contractors were yet to commence work.

The unions also said they were still expecting the state government to fulfil a promise to furnish the university’s Senate Building, which was donated by the Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Asiwaju of Ikere Kingdom.

The building was commissioned on November 28, 2024.

“The Governor promised the University the construction of the internal road network since 2024. We have been expecting the contractor to move to site, all to no avail.

“Similarly, we are still awaiting the Governor’s promise to furnish the magnificent Senate Building donated to the University by the Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Asiwaju of Ikere Kingdom, during its commissioning on November 28, 2024,” the unions stated.

‘Education Commitment Must Go Beyond Celebration’

While acknowledging the Ekiti State Government’s efforts and achievements in the education sector, the unions insisted that the true test of commitment to education lies in sustainable funding, infrastructure development and workers’ welfare.

They urged the government to prioritise the financial stability of BOUESTI and other state-owned tertiary institutions.

“The Ekiti State Government has consistently prided itself on its achievements in the education sector. We commend this commitment and recognise the important place education occupies in the development agenda of the State.

“But the real test of commitment to education is not merely the celebration of educational achievements. It is the willingness to sustain the successful running of the institutions, workers’ welfare and infrastructure upon which those achievements depend,” they said.

The unions warned that failure by the Ekiti State Government to urgently address their demands could result in a total shutdown of activities at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology.