The Ambrose Alli University (AAU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the institution’s management of misleading claims and continued victimization of academic staff through prolonged salary denial.

In a joint statement issued in Ekpoma, the chapter’s Chairman, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele, and Assistant Secretary, Dr. William Odion, dismissed a recent claim by the university that “removed staff have been reinstated to the payroll, receiving owed salaries spanning several months.”

The union leaders alleged that the statement, published in the school’s November 6, 2024 News Bulletin, was an attempt by Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Olowo, and the Dr. Frank Odafen-led Governing Council to mask the ongoing denial of salaries to many ASUU members.

According to ASUU, as of November 2024, some academic staff had gone unpaid for up to 34 months, despite fulfilling their teaching, research, and community service duties. The union lamented that no allegations of misconduct or violations justified the non-payment, calling it “dehumanizing, unjust, and evil.”

ASUU also criticized the administration for failing to remit members’ deducted dues between September 2020 and November 2021, totaling approximately ₦27 million. Additionally, the union condemned the authorities’ March 2022 cessation of membership deductions and expressed dissatisfaction with the governing council’s constitution, describing the process as flawed and non-compliant with university laws.

The union called for immediate action to address the grievances, restore withheld salaries, and ensure fair treatment of academic staff.