Confusion Among Ondo Varsities As Govt. Issues Contradictory Letters On Retirement Age

There is an ongoing confusion between Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, and the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, OSUSTECH, Okitipupa over two different letters from the state government on the issue of retirement age.

Naija News understands that a directive was sent from the office of the Secretary to the State Government for the management of the universities to disregard a letter which was earlier sent to the affected institutions on the approval of new retirement age for members of staff.

The Attorney General, Kola Olawoye, SAN, had in two separate letters, sent to all heads of the institution said that a new retirement age had been approved by the government.

According to the letter, the State Executive Council approved the new retirement age in their meeting held on Monday 6th May 2019.

He said for Professors, the new retirement age was pegged at 70 years from 65 years, while other academic staff will now retire at the age of 65 years.

Olawoye also noted that the new retirement age for non-academic staff in all the institutions has also been fixed for 65years from the previous 60 years old.

In the letter, it was emphasized that the new retirement takes effect immediately.

But in another letter which was dated May 23, 2019, and addressed to the head of the institutions, the management of the institutions were advised to disregard the Attorney General’s position on the new retirement age.

While confirming the newly approved retirement age, Abegunde, asked that the institutions’ management adhere to the ages contained in their laws.

The letter read, “The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to a letter addressed to the Vice-chancellors, Adekunle Ajasin University,Akungba Akoko(AAUA) and the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa respectively on the above subject matter.

“The state government wishes to state that although the new retirement age for academic and non-academic staff in tertiary institutions in the state has been approved by State Executive Council, however, the law establishing the institutions have to be amended before the new retirement age can take effect.

“The management of tertiary institutions in the state are therefore advised to disregard the letter on the new retirement ages and adhere to retirement ages contained in the respective edit establishing the institutions,” the SSG wrote.