Education
LAUTECH workers’ Union absolves VC of allegations of incitement
The Non Academic Staff Union of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) has absolved the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the institution, Professor Michael Olufisayo Ologunde, of sundry allegations of incitement over unpaid salary arrears by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The union stressed that the recent demand for payment of the unpaid salaries and allowances of its members was not instigated by the management of the institution.
The state gaffer, Makinde, yesterday in a statewide monthly live media chat on the state owned radio and television stations, had earlier alleged that the institution’s Vice Chancellor was the brain behind workers’ demand for immediate payment of their salary arrears barely one month after the state took over management of the Institution.
Governor Makinde said it is disheartening to note that a VC of a reputable institution like LAUTECH could be fingered in such an act.
But, LAUTECH workers’ Union, in a statement signed by the chairman of the Joint Action Committee of the non-teaching staff, Alex Alesinloye Muraina and made available to journalists on Saturday in Ogbomoso, insisted that the allegation that certain members of the institution’s management are instigating workers’ union to demand for their allowances is a ‘flagrant distortion of truth’.
Muraina added that workers don’t need anyone to push them to ask for their emoluments.
The statement read , “We are compelled to react to the radio phone-in programme of His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State this morning on 98.5 FM, particularly as it affects the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, and the demand by the Joint Action Committee of the non-teaching staff, for accumulated unpaid salaries and allowances dating back to 2012.
“With all sense of responsibility, we are aware of the various efforts of our amiable Governor to put LAUTECH on the global map through his generosity.
“We are also aware that some mischievous individuals are working assiduously to ensure that the Governor is enlisted in moves to unjustly punish some individuals.
“In an apparent satisfaction with the running of the institution by the management as currently constituted, JAC noted that the current vice chancellor is the first to be appointed from within the University community since LAUTECH’s establishment over three decades ago”.
Muraina, who is also the chairman of the university’s Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities recalled that the agitation, especially for unpaid salaries has been on since 2016, when the present crop of leaders of LAUTECH were at best lecturers and administrators, holding no special position.
He explained that workers have continually made representations to succeeding administrations in the two owner states before recently when Oyo became the sole owner.
The statement continued, “This is the first time in the over 30 years existence of the University, that an insider will be Vice-Chancellor and we have never had it this good.
“That some members of Management of the Institution have been instigating workers’ unions to ask for payment of their emoluments is a flagrant distortion of fact, because all workers are aware of what is being owed them and do not need to be reminded to ask for their wages.
“We have also made representations to the present Governor of Oyo State not fewer than three times before the last one, so it is wrong to say that demands are being made now because Oyo owns LAUTECH.
“For the avoidance of doubts, LAUTECH non-teaching staff are being owed 8 months salaries, 13 months cooperative deductions, promotion arrears, earned allowances for years among other things”.
The workers in the statement, however appealed to Governor Makinde to do everything within his power to facilitate payment of their accumulated allowances, noting that the situation has led to untimely death of some members while some of them are dying.
“Rather than engage the Governor who has proved to be our friend and benefactor in a squabble and become ingrates, we want to appeal to him to see the need to facilitate payment of all outstanding emoluments, considering that a number of our people have died due to their inability to cater for their health, more are still dying.
“We want to assure the Governor of our sincere hundred percent loyalty and support to his government.
“We want to plead with him to jettison whatever anyone may be telling him in order to put a wedge between Management of LAUTECH and his government.
“The leadership of the workers’ Union in LAUTECH, the only Institution in the State where payment of minimum wage has not commenced, is hereby reiterating that the present crop of Management is the best in our over 30 years history and that we thank Governor Makinde for undertaking not to tamper with the present structure, for now”, the statement added.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the continued abduction of teachers and pupils.
The strike, which takes effect from Monday, June 1, 2026, is expected to ground academic activities across public schools in the state.
The union said the action became imperative following what it described as growing insecurity in schools and the prolonged captivity of abducted teachers and pupils whose whereabouts remain unknown.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the NUT, Hassan Fatai, and the Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union expressed concerns over the psychological impact of the incidents on teachers, learners and parents.
According to the union, the lingering abduction cases have created fear and anxiety among teachers, weakened confidence in the safety of schools and discouraged many parents from sending their children to school.
The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Wing, hereby directs all public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to commence an indefinite strike action effective from Monday, June 1, 2026, pending urgent and decisive action by relevant authorities on the abduction of teachers and pupils.”
The union explained that the industrial action was aimed at compelling the government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward the immediate and unconditional release of the victims.
It urged teachers across the state to comply fully with the directive, remain peaceful and law-abiding, and prioritise their safety while staying away from classrooms during the strike.
The NUT also expressed solidarity with the abducted victims and their families, assuring that it would continue to engage relevant authorities until the victims were safely rescued.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, safety and security of teachers and pupils, stressing that the protection of school communities remained non-negotiable.
No fewer than 2,243,816 candidates on Thursday commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board across accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.
The figure represents a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million candidates recorded in 2025.
The examination, which began on April 16, is being conducted in about 1,000 CBT centres nationwide, with candidates scheduled in four daily sessions to reduce congestion and improve verification processes.
The board said it had deployed biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems to safeguard the integrity of the exercise, noting that candidates whose biometric details could not be authenticated would be rescheduled.
Candidates were advised to print their examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm their schedules and arrive at least one hour before their examination time.
Under the revised timetable, first-session candidates are expected at 7:00 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. for the second session, 11:00 a.m. for the third session, and 2:00 p.m. for the final session.
JAMB disclosed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun with 137,156 and Oyo with 122,662. Kaduna recorded 103,498 candidates, while the Federal Capital Territory had 102,961.
Other states include Rivers with 105,584 candidates and Kano with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara recorded the lowest figures with 13,483 and 14,861 candidates respectively.
Outside Nigeria, participation remained low, with Côte d’Ivoire recording 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 16, Burkina Faso with 14, and the United Kingdom with 12 candidates.
As part of efforts to enhance efficiency, the board increased the number of CBT centres but delisted 23 centres across several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, over technical deficiencies observed during the mock examination.
The board said the action was necessary to maintain operational standards and ensure the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed reports of insecurity at some centres, describing such claims as unfounded.
The police said it had deployed additional personnel, including patrol teams, perimeter surveillance units and rapid response squads, to ensure the safety of candidates nationwide.
The force added that it was collaborating with other security agencies to monitor the exercise and respond swiftly to any threats.
It assured parents and candidates of adequate security, urging candidates to comply with examination guidelines, arrive early and report suspicious activities.
The police also advised the public to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency, warning candidates against accepting admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System.
It stressed that any admission conducted outside CAPS would be considered illegal and would not be recognised.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide following technical deficiencies recorded during the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Board disclosed this in a bulletin issued on Friday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, as preparations intensify for the 2026 UTME scheduled to hold across the country from April 16 to April 25.
According to JAMB, the mock examination was designed to assess operational readiness and identify centres that failed to meet the required technical standards.
“Following the conduct of the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres for technical deficiencies,” the statement read.
The Board added that several centres with minor issues had been placed on notice, warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further sanctions. It also stated that one centre would no longer be used for any of its examinations.
JAMB disclosed that a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, with Lagos recording 321,814 candidates, Kaduna 303,498, the Federal Capital Territory 302,963, and Ogun 137,156.
To improve accessibility and logistics, the Board said it increased the number of approved examination centres to 1,000 nationwide, up from fewer than 800 in 2025.
However, an internal review conducted after the mock exercise revealed that some centres failed to meet operational and technical benchmarks, prompting their removal from the approved list.
The delisting followed reports of widespread technical glitches during the mock examination, including network failures, system malfunctions and delayed commencement of tests in several locations. Some candidates and parents also complained about hours-long waiting periods at affected centres.
The affected centres are located in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Plateau states.
Among the delisted centres are Micben Seat of Wisdom Academy, Ukwa West, Abia; Bishop Crowther Seminary CBT Centre, Awka, and The Oracle Lens, Nnokwa, Anambra; Derby’s Young ICT Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa; Avid ICT Solutions CBT Centre, Asaba, Delta; and Daniet Global Resources CBT Centre, Benin City, Edo.
Others include De-Lite CBT Centre, Maitama, Abuja; Florin High School CBT Centre, Ejigbo; Folbob CBT Centre, Lakowe; Great Kezino College CBT Centre, Ikorodu; Obans CBT Centre, Ikorodu; and Teesas Learning and CBT Centre, Lekki, all in Lagos.
Also affected are Braingate Model Schools CBT Centre, Arepo, and Greenhills Academy CBT Centre, Itele, Ogun State; Oduduwa University CBT Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State; Lasting Glory Schools CBT Centre, Ibadan; Nesam International School CBT Centre, Ibadan; SAF Polytechnic CBT Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State; and Rabjib Computer Academy, Jos, Plateau State.
JAMB stated that the decision formed part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of its examination process and ensure that only centres that meet its operational requirements are used for the main UTME.
The Board assured candidates that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination nationwide.
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