The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the two-year extension granted to the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adegbooye, by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Nation reports that Adeleke, the university’s Visitor, announced the extension on September 1, 2026, during the inauguration of UNIOSUN’s reconstituted Governing Council.

ASUU described the decision as a bad precedent that could undermine the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

The union also criticised the reported amendment of the UNIOSUN Law to accommodate the extension, accusing the governor of placing political considerations above legal and ethical standards.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said this in a statement on Friday on the controversy surrounding the tenure extension, expressing the union’s “serious disappointment” with both Adeleke and Adegbooye.

The extension means Adegbooye, whose tenure was due to end in January 2027, will remain in office until January 2029.

Piwuna said the UNIOSUN Law under which Adegbooye was appointed was a domesticated version of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012, which provides for a single five-year tenure for vice-chancellors without provision for extension.

He said introducing a two-year extension through an amendment to the state university law could undermine the gains made by the 2012 legislation.

“The enactment of the Principal Act was part of efforts to curtail the pervading atmosphere of rancour and bitterness thrown up by tenure extension or renewal for vice-chancellors in Nigerian universities,” he said.

Piwuna warned that the development could heighten tension in the university system, including what he described as “pent-up anger, sycophancy, and administrative witch-hunt”, which he said could adversely affect the growth and development of the institution.

He said the decision could also make Osun State an example for other governors who might seek to alter the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous) Act for political considerations.

The ASUU president also criticised Adegbooye for accepting the extension, recalling that the Vice-Chancellor had previously served as a branch secretary of the union at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Piwuna said accepting the extension was inconsistent with ASUU’s principles and core values.

He urged Adegbooye to reconsider his position before January 2027, which he said marked the end of the Vice-Chancellor’s legally valid tenure.

Piwuna also criticised Adeleke’s decision to amend the law as the incumbent’s tenure approached its end, describing the action as “antithetical to democratic norms”.

The ASUU president said the action raised questions about the governor’s commitment to the rule of law and democratic credentials.

“This is not good enough for a governor whose recent re-election against all odds drew a nationwide applause,” he said.

Piwuna, however, warned that ASUU would not hesitate to challenge the development further if the matter was not resolved.

“Should reasons fail to prevail, ASUU shall not hesitate to further challenge the absurdity at UNIOSUN before it gains a notorious national currency,” he said.

The union also appealed to the reconstituted Governing Council to discharge its responsibilities without what it described as disruptive interference and intrigues.

“UNIOSUN was established under an approved licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the common good and should be allowed to fulfil its mandate of producing future leaders.”

He warned that the governor’s action could, knowingly or unknowingly, establish a precedent of disrespect for national standards in the administration of universities.

“The reconstituted Governing Council must be allowed to carry out its mandate without disruptive interference and intrigues,” he said. (The Nation)