The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, has rejected the proposed staff verification exercise by the Ondo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, describing the exercise as an infringement on university autonomy and a violation of established legal provisions.
In a position paper signed by Bamigbola Bobola on behalf of JAC, the three university-based unions argued that although they were not opposed to accountability and transparency in the management of public institutions, the proposed exercise was illegal, unconstitutional and an attempt by the state ministry to interfere in the internal administrative affairs of the university.
The unions maintained that the management of staff records, appointments, promotions, discipline and other employment-related matters fell within the statutory responsibilities of the university’s Governing Council and could not be unilaterally undertaken by an external ministry.
They anchored their position on the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1993, as amended, arguing that the legislation guarantees universities administrative autonomy and empowers their Governing Councils to discharge their responsibilities in the interest of effective institutional management and development.
According to JAC, the provisions of the Act vest the Governing Council with powers over the general administration of university affairs, including the appointment, promotion and discipline of staff, adding that any staff verification exercise must originate from the Council and be conducted through the appropriate university administrative structures.
The unions also cited the Ondo State University of Science and Technology Law, 2007, as amended, which established the institution now known as OAUSTECH, insisting that the law places the Governing Council at the centre of the university’s administrative and personnel management structure.
They specifically referred to Sections 11 and 12 of the establishment law, which they said confer relevant powers on the Governing Council regarding appointments, expenditure, conditions of service and staff discipline.
JAC further argued that the Vice-Chancellor, as the chief executive and academic head of the institution, is responsible for its day-to-day administration, while the university’s conditions of service remain subject to the provisions of its establishment law and decisions of the Governing Council.
The unions consequently described any directive from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to independently conduct a staff verification exercise as an overreach of its statutory responsibilities.
On the labour front, the committee invoked the Labour Act and Trade Union Act, arguing that employment relationships within the university were governed by the appropriate statutory employer and that decisions capable of affecting workers’ conditions of service and employment security should involve recognised trade unions through established collective bargaining processes.
It also referenced International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining, maintaining that any government action affecting workers’ employment security without adequate consultation could undermine industrial harmony and established labour relations.
The position paper further raised concerns about the proposed collection of sensitive personal information, particularly Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), National Identification Numbers (NIN) and biometric data, warning that such demands without an established lawful basis could run contrary to the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
Citing previous judicial decisions, including Oloruntoba-Oju v. Abdul-Raheem (2009) and University of Abuja v. Ologe (1996), JAC maintained that university employees are public servants rather than civil servants and that their employment conditions are governed by their respective university laws and regulations, rather than the general civil service framework.
The committee also questioned the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning over personnel matters in state-owned tertiary institutions, arguing that its responsibility for budgetary planning should not be interpreted as authority to assume the statutory functions of university Governing Councils.
It stressed that universities are autonomous corporate institutions established by law and should not be treated as ordinary government departments or extensions of the state civil service.
Four-point demands
Consequently, the three unions made four major demands, calling on the state government to immediately suspend the proposed verification exercise in its present form and ensure that any subsequent staff audit is initiated through the university’s Governing Council and Management, with the full involvement of JAC.
They also urged the government to respect university autonomy and refrain from actions capable of turning tertiary institutions into extensions of the civil service.
Furthermore, JAC directed its members across NAAT, NASU and SSANU not to submit themselves to any verification exercise that had not received the approval of the Governing Council, pending proper engagement with the relevant authorities.
Reaffirming their position, the unions clarified that their opposition should not be interpreted as resistance to the state government’s efforts to verify its workforce or eliminate ghost workers.
“We are not against the decisions of the state government to carry out verification exercise in our university, but due process must be followed. We are not ghost workers. We are duly appointed staff of Council,” the committee declared.
It insisted that all enquiries and administrative actions concerning university staffing and management should be directed through the Governing Council and university authorities rather than the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The committee concluded by calling on the state government to respect the legal framework governing OAUSTECH and ensure that accountability measures do not undermine institutional independence, workers’ rights and industrial harmony.
The position paper was signed by Bamigbola Bobola on behalf of the Joint Action Committee of NAAT, NASU and SSANU at OAUSTECH, Okitipupa, under the declaration: “Aluta Continua!”
