For Kola (not his real name), part-time lecturer at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, stepping into the classroom each day comes with a heavy burden.

“I still teach because of the students,” he told Patriotic Insights News. “But it’s painful. You go to class every day, yet you can’t feed your family or pay for transport. It’s like we don’t exist.”

Kola is one of dozens of part-time lecturers who say they have not received a single kobo in salary since February 2025. Their monthly stipends of ₦38,500 remain unpaid, despite repeated assurances from management.

Promises Without Fulfilment

Earlier this year, part-time staff were disengaged and later asked to reapply for their positions. Many complied in good faith, hoping for stability. By June, new appointment letters were issued but salaries never followed.

“We were told to endure from February to April,” another lecturer recalled. “Now it’s November, and we still haven’t been paid.”

Lecturers allege that management prioritises luxury over staff welfare.
“They bought new cars for themselves,” one staff member said, “while those of us teaching students can’t even buy food.”

Governance and Political Concerns

Some lecturers fear that the ongoing crisis could tarnish the image of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.

“The Rector is not representing the governor well,” a staff member said. “We come from all 30 local government areas. People back home ask what’s happening. They think the governor doesn’t care.”

They warn that neglecting the issue could have political consequences ahead of next year’s elections.
“This is more than unpaid salaries it’s about respect,” one lecturer added. “You can’t starve people and expect their loyalty.”

A Cry for Help

Attempts to raise the matter with management reportedly met intimidation rather than solutions.
“When we first complained, someone said the governing council chairman was in our WhatsApp group,” a lecturer said. “Instead of resolving the issue, they tried to silence us.”

Now, the lecturers are appealing to the school’s governing council and the Osun State Government to intervene.
“All we want is our pay,” Kola said. “We’ve served faithfully. We’re not asking for too much just fairness.”

Management Yet to Respond

Efforts by Patriotic Insights News to reach the Rector and members of the Governing Council were unsuccessful, as their phone numbers were not reachable at press time.

Meanwhile, tension continues to build among staff, with sources hinting that collective action may be considered if the situation remains unresolved.

For now, part-time lecturers at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, continue to teach unpaid, unheard, and uncertain when relief will finally come.