The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, has described as false and misleading, the statement attributed to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Olowo Samuel that the institution has cleared salary backlogs with a monthly subvention of five hundred million naira.
On Thurdays, 21st August, 2025, the Vice Chancellor and Members of the Management Team of the University during an interface with Journalists and media executives on the state of affairs of AAU, Ekpoma, stated among other things, that the university was enjoying peace, stability, regular payment of salaries, and had paid all outstanding salaries of staff it inherited from previous administration of the university. However, in a reaction by the university’s branch of ASUU through astatement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and Secretary Dr. William Odion, the Union described as insensitive, untrue and misleading the disclosure by the University Administration that it had cleared all backlogs of salaries of staff.
Additionally, Dr. Onogbosele and Dr. Odion stated that the Union had written several letters and had several meetings with the University Administration over non-payment of outstanding salaries of many staff for a long time without resolving the matter. Further, they stated that the University was in default of payment of outstanding salaries of some staff up to 29 months and above, 13th month salary, staff promotion arrears, N70,000 and 25-35% wage increase arrears, responsibility allowance (for office holders), and deducted third-party monies (ASUU dues and staff welfare savings) for fifteen months (September 2020 – November 2021) – all amounting to billions of naira. The Union implored the University Administration to toe the path of truth in dealing with the challenges confronting the university, avoid misinformation of the public and urgently resolve the problem of non-payment of all outstanding salaries of staff that has demoralized staff.
While appealing to the Governor of Edo State and Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to further assist the University to deal with problem of non-payment of outstanding salaries of staff arising from the poor administration of the University by the defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT) during the tenure of the former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Union thankfully acknowledged the interventions by the current administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to reposition the university.
