Aishah Waliyullah
The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has abolished its two-day weekly off-duty work policy for non-academic staff, insisting that the measure has outlived its usefulness and is now undermining the institution’s productivity and academic stability.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, announced the decision during a press briefing on campus, saying the resolution was part of decisions reached at the university’s 219th Governing Council meeting.
Agboola explained that the policy — introduced after the removal of fuel subsidy to ease transportation burden — had become counter-productive as it slowed service delivery, delayed administrative processes, and affected institutional efficiency.
“The two-day off-duty policy disrupted service delivery, delayed essential processes and undermined institutional efficiency,” Agboola said.
“With the special transport allowance already introduced, the continuation of this policy has no justifiable basis.”
According to him, the state government’s circular on post-subsidy adjustments clearly directed that essential services must not be compromised, stressing that OOU workers already earn above their counterparts in federal universities and civil service.
The VC disclosed that the university benchmarked other institutions before taking the decision, revealing that Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) stopped the same policy in January 2025.
“Other institutions in Ogun State have long discontinued this arrangement. Primary and secondary school teachers never adopted it due to the nature of their work,” he said.
Agboola accused leaders of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of ignoring management invitations to dialogue, adding that this was the third time the unions shunned reconciliation efforts.
“We invited ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT to discuss. SSANU and NASU declined. This is the first time both unions would jointly shun management meetings,” he disclosed.
He noted that the unions later petitioned the Pro-Chancellor but remained “adamant and uncooperative” even after the Governing Council Labour Committee intervened.
“Some individuals have personal issues against me. I have not sacked anyone in three years as VC, yet they claim fear of victimisation,” he added.–
The VC said the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology backed the decision, affirming that councils of state-owned tertiary institutions have the authority to act according to their operational realities.
On pension deductions, Agboola said the university has been remitting both employer and employee contributions since he assumed office in October 2022, while outstanding arrears were being settled in phases in agreement with unions.
He added that:.staff due for retirement within five years will have their full accrued deductions transferred to their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs)
The revised Conditions of Service, jointly prepared by all four unions, will be submitted for council approval in December
Promotion for all non-teaching staff has been concluded, while academic promotions are ongoing
Agboola restated that the institution remains committed to transparency, fairness and academic stability.
“Our primary responsibility is to protect the university’s reputation, ensure stable academic calendar, and promote efficiency,” he said
He revealed that OOU remains highly competitive, with more than 32,000 applicants seeking admission in 2025 while only 8,000 were admitted.
OOU had introduced a two-day work-free arrangement for non-teaching staff in 2023 to cushion fuel subsidy hardship, but management now says the hardship has been fully addressed through allowances — a position unions dispute.
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