The Osun State Government has defended the extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Clement Odunayo Adebooye, insisting that the administration of the institution is guided by law and statutory procedures, not the preferences or interpretations of any staff union.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government responded to concerns raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the development.
ASUU had reportedly decided to deploy a team to Osogbo over the extension of the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure.
However, the state government said while it recognised the right of staff unions to express their views on issues affecting the welfare and administration of the university, such unions do not possess the statutory authority to determine or substitute their judgment for the responsibilities legally assigned to the Visitor, Governing Council and other organs of the institution.
According to the government, the current tenure of Professor Adebooye remains valid until January 2027, stressing that no retroactive decision was taken regarding his appointment.
The government explained that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision as Visitor to the university was subsequently followed by legislative action by the Osun State House of Assembly to amend the Osun State University Establishment Law and provide a statutory framework for the tenure extension.
It stated that the amendment bill was considered and passed by the House of Assembly after legislative scrutiny.
“The Visitor cannot be said to have acted outside the law where the competent legislative authority has exercised its constitutional legislative function to amend the enabling law,” the statement said.
The government further argued that the existence of an earlier provision regarding the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor does not prevent the legislature from reviewing or amending such provisions through the appropriate legislative process.
It therefore dismissed suggestions that the decision was arbitrary or that the university’s governance structure had been disregarded.
The state government cautioned against what it described as attempts to create an unnecessary atmosphere of crisis, illegality and institutional instability over the matter.
It stressed that no staff union, including ASUU, has the statutory authority to direct the Visitor or the Governing Council on how to exercise powers lawfully vested in them.
“The University is governed by its enabling law, and not by the unilateral interpretation of any union or pressure group,” the government stated.
While acknowledging staff unions as important stakeholders in the university system, the government maintained that they cannot replace the legally constituted organs responsible for the governance of the institution.
The government also urged members of the university community to avoid actions, statements or mobilisations capable of creating unnecessary tension, noting that the institution remains focused on its core mandates of teaching, research, innovation and community service.
It added that UNIOSUN is currently preparing for its forthcoming 16th Convocation Ceremonies and other academic and administrative activities aimed at consolidating what it described as the institution’s remarkable progress.
The Osun State Government said it remains open to constructive engagement with recognised unions and stakeholders but insisted that such engagement must be conducted within the boundaries of the law, mutual respect and the established governance structure of the university.
The statement reaffirmed the Adeleke administration’s commitment to the rule of law, due process, institutional stability and the authority of legally constituted organs in the governance of Osun State University.
The government consequently advised all stakeholders to allow the appropriate statutory institutions to discharge their responsibilities without unnecessary pressure or attempts to create an impression of crisis where none exists.
