Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Osun State University chapter, has firmly rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke's two-year extension of the tenure of the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Adebooye, insisting that the university's establishment law provides no legal basis for such a move. The union's position has thrown the university community into a fresh crisis, coming just days after the governor announced the extension and the state House of Assembly moved swiftly to amend the law to ratify his decision.
Dr Wande Olaosebikan, Chairman of ASUU-UNIOSUN, told DAILY POST on Friday, September 4, 2026, that the union had critically examined the Osun State University Establishment Law and found no provision for the extension of the Vice-Chancellor's tenure. According to Olaosebikan, the law specifically allows for a one-year extension for the Registrar, Bursar, and Librarian, but explicitly excludes the Vice-Chancellor from that privilege.
The controversy erupted on Monday, September 1, 2026, when Governor Adeleke, during the inauguration of the university's reconstituted Governing Council, announced that he had approved a two-year extension for Professor Adebooye, who had just completed his initial five-year tenure. The governor defended his decision, citing the need for continuity, stability, and the prevention of a leadership vacuum that could disrupt the institution's administration. He also disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor initially declined the offer before eventually accepting the additional two years.
However, ASUU has questioned the legality of the governor's action, pointing to Section 3(2) of the Osun State University Establishment Law, 2006, which provides that the Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a term of five years and shall not be eligible for reappointment. Olaosebikan stressed that the union would not react to rumours but would wait for formal confirmation before taking further action. "We, as a union of intellectuals, heard the news. After much persuasion, we were led to believe that it was just an offer and that the direct beneficiary of the offer has not actually accepted it," he said. "We have also studied critically the UNIOSUN Establishment Law, which did not give room for extension of tenure for the Vice-Chancellor."
Despite the opposition, the Osun State House of Assembly moved swiftly to amend the university's establishment law. On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Assembly passed the Osun State University Establishment Amendment Bill 2026, which effectively approved the governor's action and provided a legal framework for the extension of the Vice-Chancellor's tenure. The amendment was presented following a letter from Governor Adeleke dated July 27, 2026, seeking changes to the law establishing the university.
The Assembly's decision has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders. While the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has expressed cautious support, describing the Vice-Chancellor's performance as "exceedingly well," ASUU has maintained its opposition, insisting that the law, as it stood, was clear. The union has warned that it would not hesitate to take appropriate action once the development is formally confirmed.
The controversy has highlighted the fragility of university autonomy in Nigeria, where governors and political leaders often override established laws to serve their interests. As the Osun State Government moves to consolidate its control over the university, the academic community is watching closely, waiting to see whether the rule of law will prevail or whether political expediency will once again triumph over institutional integrity.
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