Photo: Prof Ogunwole
By Toye Fisher
There was jubilation at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, as members of staff who had been owed several months of salary arrears received alerts confirming the payment of their outstanding entitlements.
The affected workers, who were employed by the university between 2019 and 2021, were reportedly owed between four and 18 months’ salaries, leaving many of them in prolonged financial uncertainty.
The payment, which has brought considerable relief to the beneficiaries, was attributed to the intervention of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, whose administration has continued to place staff welfare among its major priorities.
For many of the affected workers, the receipt of the alerts marked the end of years of waiting and uncertainty over when their outstanding salaries would be paid.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, describing the development as a major relief and a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.
The development has also strengthened the growing popularity of Ogunwole among members of the university community, with some staff referring to him as the “Talk and Do VC”—a nickname reflecting their perception that he has consistently followed his pronouncements with concrete actions.
The Vice-Chancellor has, on several occasions, emphasised the importance of staff welfare to the effective functioning and development of the institution.
The settlement of the outstanding salary arrears is therefore being viewed by members of the university community as a significant step towards restoring confidence among affected workers.
Beyond the payment of the arrears, the development is coming amid efforts by the Ogunwole administration to reposition FUOYE, strengthen its institutional capacity and improve the working environment for both academic and non-academic staff.
The affected employees, who had waited for years in some cases, reportedly received the news with excitement and relief, with some offering prayers for the success of the Vice-Chancellor and his administration.
The payment has consequently generated a positive mood among the beneficiaries, many of whom expressed renewed confidence that outstanding staff-related issues would continue to receive attention under the current administration.
The latest development is being regarded as another milestone in the administration’s efforts to improve staff welfare and consolidate ongoing reforms at FUOYE.
For the affected workers, however, the significance of the payment goes beyond the financial relief it provides. It represents the fulfilment of a long-awaited obligation and a renewed sense of hope that their welfare remains a priority in the university’s development agenda.
