Staff unions at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have called for the immediate removal of Professor Akinbo Adesomoju as Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, describing his continued stay in office as illegal.
The unions comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) said the alleged third term occupancy of the office by Professor Adesomoju violates the provisions of the Official Gazette establishing the university.
Addressing the issue in a notification letter to the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, the unions stated that their congress had resolved to embark on a seven day peaceful protest to demand adherence to the law governing the institution.
According to the letter dated March 12, 2026, the protest began on March 10 and will continue until March 18 within the university premises.
The unions said the decision was reached at a congress held on March 9, where members unanimously condemned what they described as the “illegal occupancy” of the office of the Chairman of the Governing Council.
“The Congress of the Joint Action Committee resolved that the continued occupation of the office of the Chairman of Council by Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju is inconsistent with the law establishing the institution,” the letter stated.
It added that any Governing Council meeting presided over by the embattled Pro Chancellor lacks legal legitimacy.
“Congress therefore maintained that any Governing Council meeting presided over by him lacks the necessary legal backing and cannot be considered valid under the provisions of the law establishing the University,” the unions declared.
The unions further called on other members of the Governing Council to intervene by persuading Professor Adesomoju to step aside in the interest of the institution.
“JAC has advised other members of the Governing Council to prevail on Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju to step down from the position of Chairman so that other Council members may continue with the governance of the University in accordance with the law,” the letter noted.
In addition, the unions revealed that they had received information about a Governing Council meeting allegedly scheduled to take place in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on March 16 and 17 under the leadership of Professor Adesomoju.
They described the proposed meeting as illegal and warned that staff unions would not recognise its outcome.
“We have reliably gathered that an alleged Governing Council meeting under the leadership of Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju has been slated to hold in Akure on the 16th and 17th of March 2026,” the unions said.
As a result, the unions announced that part of the ongoing protest would be moved to Akure on the same dates to register their opposition to the planned meeting.
“Consequently, Congress resolved that part of the ongoing seven day peaceful protest be shifted to Akure on the said dates in order to peacefully register the position of staff unions against the planned meeting which Congress considers illegal,” the statement read.
Despite the strong stance, the unions stressed that the protest would remain peaceful and orderly.
“We wish to emphasize that the protest will remain peaceful, orderly and conducted strictly within the framework of the law, and it is not intended to disrupt public peace or security,” they stated.
The unions also formally requested police protection during the protest both in Okitipupa and Akure.
“We respectfully notify and request the permission of your office and kindly request that the Command provide the necessary security oversight and protection to ensure law and order during the protest both in Okitipupa and Akure,” the letter added.
The notification was jointly signed by Comrade Bambola Bobola Davies, Chairman of NAAT; Comrade Olanrewaju Orisamika, Chairman of SSANU; and Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, Chairman of NASU.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security.
