AAU Council Withdraws Professorial Rank From Lecturer Over Alleged Breach

…As Lecturers Threaten to Down Tools Over Non-Implementation of 2025 FG/ASUU Agreement

The Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, has revoked the professorial promotion of Dr Edomwonyi Omon Edwin over an alleged violation of the institution’s Regulations and Schemes Governing Senior Staff 2017, as amended.

Edwin, a lecturer in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, had his promotion to the rank of professor withdrawn following the decision of the university council at its 241st Regular Meeting held on March 17, 2026.

The decision was disclosed in a statement issued by the Registrar of the university, Mrs Ambrose Agbebaku, who said the action followed what the institution described as a serious breach of its regulations.

The Registrar also directed the lecturer to immediately stop presenting himself as a professor of Ambrose Alli University.

“The withdrawal is a sequel to the serious breach of the University Regulations and Schemes Governing Senior Staff 2017 (as amended),” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), AAU Ekpoma Chapter, has warned that lecturers may embark on strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement between university lecturers and the Federal Government.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of ASUU-AAU, Ekpoma Chapter, Dr Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele and Dr William Odion, respectively, and made available to journalists on Wednesday.

The Union said it has commenced full mobilisation of its members for a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, adding that the Edo State Government’s inability to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement in the university is responsible.

The statement noted that the union’s patience had been exhausted, adding that “for six months, we have waited for concrete steps towards implementation, yet none have materialised.”

Continuing, the statement said, “It is with profound disappointment that we state that every effort to persuade the university authorities and the Edo State Government to honour the Agreement has been met with trivialisation and disregard.

“In a resolution adopted after the well-attended Congress on the main campus in Ekpoma, the Union resolved that; ‘Effective with the July 2026 salary, payment must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances stipulated in the Agreement. All accrued arrears since January 2026 must be paid in full.”

The Union emphasised that; “Any failure or derogation by the university authorities and the Edo State Government on this critical resolution will provoke and precipitate a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike.’

“While we acknowledge the positive disposition of the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led Edo State Government towards the university, we are deeply concerned about the continued non-implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement at AAU, Ekpoma.

“This development is both saddening and provocative, particularly when all federal universities and no fewer than ten state universities have already implemented the Agreement, including the payment of arrears.

“We remain committed to industrial peace. However, we insist that the swift and full implementation of the Agreement is the only path to lasting industrial harmony.

“We therefore call on the university authorities and the Edo State Government to act without further delay.” The statement concluded.

© New Telegraph