The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at the University of Ibadan (UI) have decried prolonged unresolved welfare concerns, accusing university management of neglect, poor communication, and failure to honour agreements.

NASU Chairman, Femi Ogunlade, while speaking during a peaceful protest, said that members of the union had been deprived of entitlements for the past three years, alleging that repeated efforts to engage the management have yielded no results.

The union said that several letters written to the management over time were not acknowledged, describing the situation as a sustained disregard for staff welfare.

It also raised issues surrounding the scheme of service, which guides staff welfare and promotion processes, insisting that union representatives must be involved in any review process.

NASU, however, alleged that the management had proceeded with the review without proper consultation, contrary to established guidelines.

The union further complained about irregular promotion exercises in some departments, noting that while some units had undergone promotion processes, others had been left out for extended periods.

It, therefore, called for fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to agreed procedures in staff welfare and promotion matters.

Similarly, SSANU expressed concern over what it described as a breakdown in communication with management since 2023, stating that repeated attempts at dialogue have not produced meaningful engagement.

The association said it had written several letters outlining its grievances but had not received satisfactory responses or formal invitations for negotiation.

SSANU Vice Chairman, Olutola Olubiyi, stated that the union had issued notice of possible industrial action if its concerns are not addressed within a reasonable timeframe, stressing that its actions were aimed at ensuring fairness and proper administrative processes rather than disrupting academic activities.

The association maintained that effective institutional management requires collaboration and mutual respect between staff unions and management, adding that it remains open to constructive dialogue if properly engaged.

Meanwhile, the university’s Registrar, Ganiyu Oke Saliu, said: “The management is on top of the situation. I think the unions were not properly advised.”