Is LAUTECH really resuming on January 15? Here’s what we know

This rumor is not entirely true. Read the analysis below.

A report surfaced on WhatsApp Friday evening claiming that Oyo state Governor, Ajimobi, declared that LAUTECH will resume on the 15th of January after a meeting with some ‘LAUTECH representatives’ in Ibadan.

The report which was supposedly written by the senior assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on youth and student affairs, Afeez Bolaji Repete, went further to claim that Governor Ajimobi called Osun state governor, Aregbesola, on the phone, and they agreed to pay N200 million each into LAUTECH account for outstanding allowances and salaries.

One reason why this is statement seemed unrealistic is because on Thursday, prior to the report, both Oyo and Osun state governors made a joint statement appealing to student of LAUTECH and their parents to bear with them as they were still awaiting the final report and recommendation from the Visiting Panel headed by Chief Wole Olanipeku (SAN).

They also made it clear that the prolonged strike was "not for lack of will on their part but due to the financial challenges facing the states.” Hence, it seemed very unlikely that they would turn around one day later to make such outrageous claims as stated in the rumor.

However, this morning, Premium Times published a report confirming this claim. Nonetheless, Proudly Ladokite went further to verify the facts.

Here’s what we gathered:

The Chairman of NANS Oyo state, Toheeb Niniola, who also attended the meeting exclusively told Proudly Ladokite that after the students ‘made their grievances known’ to Governor Ajimobi, he put out a call to Osun state governor, Aregbesola, in their presence, and they agreed to pay a particular amount of money.

“Governor Ajimobi and Aregbesola had a concession to pay an amount, and the Vice-chancellor has agreed. When the school resumes, they will continue with the payment,” he said.

He, however, did not state how much but according to Premium Times, it is believed that the amount agreed is N400 million, divided equally between both states.

Toheeb added that Ajimobi also called LAUTECH Vice-Chancellor, A.S. Gbadegesi to inform him of the payment and an agreement was reached.

Does this mean LAUTECH is resuming on January 15?

Concerning the resumption date, he said that talks will begin between the government and the school management on Wednesday 11th and a conclusion will be reached by latest January 15th.

Hence, that does not imply LAUTECH will resume on the 15th. Paraphrasing the governor, he said, the resumption will be on or before February 1st.

However, he hinted that there is an internal crisis within the school management that needs to be sorted out before progress can be made.

What about the mass action on Monday 9th?

The protest will most likely hold as scheduled.

Addressing claims that some factions want to terminate the protest, Toheeb said, he only met with the Governor to express the grievances of the students and hear what the Governor had to say, and that he has reported back to the students.

He said there was no mention of any protest during the meeting, and that Ajimobi was most likely unaware of it.

Hence, the protest holding depends on whatever conclusion the students’ body reach.

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Were there Ladokites in the meeting?

We spoke to the NANS National President who confirmed that he did not attend the meeting stating that it was a “zonal matter.”

The report also claimed some Lautech students, including secretary of NANS Oyo, Issa Farouq O., honored the Governor's invitation. However, Proudly Ladokite confirmed from very several other students' leaders who denied attending the meeting because of political bias.