Academic and administrative activities have been disrupted at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, as a result of massive protests by students of the institution over the obnoxious student policies of the university administration.
A report from the university indicated that as early as 6.00am a.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the main gate to the university was locked by the protesting students against the acting vice chancellor, Prof. Sunnie Adagbonyin and other staff of the university.
The protesters, who were mostly made up of students from the faculties of law and management science, focused their resentment on the offensive policies of the university administration led by Adagbonyin. Among other things, this administration forced most of the demonstrators to be transferred to other departments by introducing a proceeding list that they claimed violated the university’s policies, rules, and laws.
Staff and visitors to the university were stranded yesterday as the protests held on to the closure of the university main gate branding placard of varied inscriptions, including the tyrannical management style of the university administration.
Just yesterday (5/6/2024), acedemic and administrative activities were also grounded at the university’s College of Medicine following a similar protest by students of the medical laboratory against the anti-student policy of the university.
The students’ protest coincides with growing frustration among staff of the university as a result of failure by the state government to tackle the various problems, including the absence of the Governing Council, payment of arrears in salaries, repression and victimization of workers by the expired Special Intervention Team (SIT).
There is also the critical problem of complete withdrawal of funding from the university, which has led to selective payment of salaries, non-payment of salaries of many staff for 28 months, unpaid check-off arrears, and other sundry deductions for several years.
Meanwhile, an emergency Senate meeting of the university has been called by the university administration for 1pm today (6/6/2024) in a swift response to the student protest ravaging the university.
A memorandum issued by the Acting Registrar of the University, Mr. Ambrose Odiase, said: “I am directed to convey an emergency meeting of the Senate today, June 6, 2024, to address matters of urgent importance, including the issue of course registration and the proceeding list for law students.”
According to him, the “meeting is mandatory for all members.”
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