In a recent twist to the ongoing saga between the management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the university’s administration has vehemently denied the allegations of unpaid staff salaries that have been making headlines in recent days.
Contrary to ASUU’s claims that the institution owes its members a whopping 26 months’ worth of salaries, the university’s management has come out to set the record straight. According to the Head of Communication and Protocol at AAU, Otunba Mike Aladenika, all staff salaries have been duly paid up to date, refuting any notion of a backlog in salary payments.
The controversy surrounding the alleged non-payment of salaries took a dark turn when ASUU members claimed that over 25 of their colleagues had succumbed to the financial strain caused by the purported salary arrears. However, the university’s spokesperson was quick to dismiss these claims, challenging ASUU to provide concrete evidence to support their allegations of staff fatalities due to unpaid salaries.
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Addressing the media in Benin City, Aladenika stated, “To hear that the university is owing ASUU members up to 26 months’ salary is untrue. One is forced to ask who this particular set of people allegedly being owed salaries are and why their names are not being mentioned. Are there reasons why their identities are being kept?”
Furthermore, the university’s representative highlighted that the salaries for February 2024 had already been disbursed to staff and pensioners, with payments processed well ahead of schedule. He urged skeptics to verify the information, emphasizing that even the ASUU chairman had received his February salary prior to the press conference.
Aladenika also shed light on the context behind the alleged unpaid salaries, clarifying that the eight months’ worth of salaries in question were accrued during a strike period when the no-work-no-pay policy was in effect. This distinction is crucial in understanding the full picture of the salary dispute between the university and ASUU.
Despite the contentious nature of the allegations, the university’s spokesperson assured all stakeholders that AAU remains committed to its mission of academic excellence and institutional progress. He underscored the administration’s dedication to addressing the challenges raised by ASUU through legal channels, emphasizing the importance of upholding transparency and accountability within the university community.
As the narrative unfolds, it is evident that both sides are entrenched in a battle of words and accusations, with the truth hanging in the balance. The stakes are high, not just for the university and its staff but also for the students, parents, and guardians who rely on AAU for quality education and professional development.
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In the midst of this controversy, one thing remains clear: the pursuit of truth and justice must prevail to ensure the integrity and reputation of Ambrose Alli University. The spotlight is now on ASUU to substantiate their claims and on the university’s management to uphold its commitment to transparency and fairness in resolving this contentious issue.
