A senior lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has made an impassioned plea to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene in what he describes as a “vicious circle of corruption” that has left staff members without tax clearance certificates for many years.
In an exclusive interview with Apples Bite Magazine, the lecturer, whose name has been withheld for security reasons, revealed the devastating impact of the institution’s failure to remit staff taxes to the government, unpaid salaries and lack of funding.
“The institution I’ve been serving for over 10 solid years of my life never remitted my taxes to the government,” the distraught academic revealed. His voice carried the weight of years of faithful service, now overshadowed by bureaucratic negligence.
The university Don explained that when he approached government offices to obtain his tax clearance certificate, a crucial document required for various official transactions, he was met with shocking news. “The government said my institution did not remit any tax in my name,” he stated.
The Blame Game Begins
When confronted with this revelation, AAUA’s administration offered what the lecturer describes as an inadequate excuse. “My institution, in turn, claimed that the government did not release sufficient funds to cater to salaries, let alone taxes,” he explained, his frustration palpable.
This back-and-forth between state government and university administration has created what the lecturer aptly calls “a vicious circle of corruption,” leaving innocent staff members trapped in administrative limbo.
The absence of tax clearance certificates has far-reaching consequences for university staff. These documents are essential for securing loans, processing visa applications, participating in government contracts, and numerous other critical transactions. Without them, staff members find their personal and professional lives severely constrained.
“I need it now,” the lecturer emphasised, underscoring the urgency of his situation. The certificate, which should be issued annually as a matter of routine, has become an impossible dream for many AAUA staff members.
With deep emotion, the senior lecturer made a direct appeal to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa: “Ayedatiwa, rescue AAUA now!”
His plea extends beyond his personal predicament to encompass the broader crisis facing the institution. “Save AAUA now! Save the academics! Save the future of our youth! Ensure staff welfare!” he implored.
The lecturer’s words reflect growing concerns about the sustainability of academic excellence at the institution when staff members are subjected to such fundamental injustices.
This revelation raises serious questions about financial accountability and transparency at AAUA. If taxes deducted from staff salaries were never remitted to government coffers, where did these funds go? Who is responsible for this decade-long oversight? And how many other staff members are suffering in silence?
The issue also highlights the precarious position of academic staff in state-owned universities, where they find themselves caught between institutional mismanagement and government underfunding.
AAUA’s situation mirrors challenges facing many state-owned universities across Nigeria. Inadequate funding, delayed salary payments, and poor welfare conditions have become endemic problems that threaten the quality of tertiary education in the country. However, the failure to remit taxes, funds already deducted from staff salaries, represents a particularly egregious breach of trust. This is not merely an issue of insufficient funding but potentially one of financial impropriety.
The lecturer’s demands are clear and reasonable. He calls for an immediate investigation through a comprehensive audit of AAUA’s tax remittance records for the past decade. Those responsible for the failure to remit staff taxes must be held accountable. Staff members must receive their tax clearance certificates without further delay. The implementation of transparent mechanisms to ensure timely tax remittance going forward is essential, alongside a comprehensive review and improvement of overall staff welfare conditions at AAUA.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa now faces a critical test of his administration’s commitment to education and staff welfare. The governor, who has previously expressed dedication to improving Ondo State’s educational sector, has an opportunity to demonstrate concrete action. The lecturer’s appeal is not just about tax certificates. It is about restoring dignity to academic staff, ensuring accountability in public institutions, and safeguarding the future of thousands of students who depend on motivated, well-treated lecturers for their education.
“Save the future of our youths!” the lecturer pleaded. His words resonate with urgency because the crisis at AAUA affects not just current staff but generations of students whose education hangs in the balance. When academics are demoralised by poor treatment and systemic corruption, the quality of education inevitably suffers. When universities cannot manage basic administrative responsibilities like tax remittance, their credibility as institutions of higher learning comes into question.
As this story develops, Apples Bite Magazine will continue to monitor the situation at AAUA and Governor Aiyedatiwa’s response to this passionate appeal. The senior lecturer’s courage in speaking out, despite choosing anonymity for protection, reflects the desperation many staff members feel. His voice represents countless others who continue to serve AAUA faithfully despite being failed by the very system meant to protect their interests.
The question now is simple: Will Governor Aiyedatiwa heed this cry for help? Will AAUA’s administration be held accountable? And will the vicious circle of corruption finally be broken? The people of Ondo State, the academic community at AAUA, and indeed all Nigerians who value quality education await answers.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
