Ondo Forms 5-Member Committee To Review Rufus Giwa Polytechnic’s Finances Amid Unpaid Salary Crisis
The letter further noted that the committee will require access to relevant financial records, documents, and information to carry out its duties effectively.
The Ondo State government has established a five-member committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the financial situation at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
In a letter dated April 23, 2025, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac (Mrs), informed the Rector of the institution about the formation of the committee. The letter, titled “Introduction of a Five-Member Committee to Carry Out a Holistic Review of the Current Financial Status of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic,” outlined the purpose and scope of the committee’s work.
According to the letter, the decision to form the committee follows various financial requests made by the Polytechnic to the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. The review is intended to evaluate the institution’s current financial status, including its subvention, revenue, salaries, recurrent expenditures, and any other relevant financial matters.
The committee will be led by Alhaji Muda’ Adegbeha as Chairman, with Mr. Bodunwa Olorunfemi, Mrs. Abimbola Oniyi, Mrs. Idowu Temilade, and Mr. Moses Ogunbiyi serving as members, with Ogunbiyi acting as the Secretary.
The letter further noted that the committee will require access to relevant financial records, documents, and information to carry out its duties effectively.
The Commissioner requested that the Rector provide full cooperation and support to the committee, ensuring they have the necessary resources to complete their review efficiently.
It read, “Sequel to your various financial requests to the Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the need has arisen to carry out a holistic review of the current financial status of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
“To this end, a five-member committee has been put in place. The Committee’s Terms of Reference include: to examine the current institution’s subvention, finances, revenue, salaries, recurrent expenditures and other related matters that it may deem fit to consider.”
Isaac identified the members of the committee as Alhaji Muda’ Adegbeha – Chairman; Mr. Bodunwa Olorunfemi – Member; Mrs. Abimbola Oniyi – Member; Mrs. Idowu Temilade – Member and Mr. Moses Ogunbiyi – Member/Secretary.
“The import of this letter is to inform you that in the course of carrying out its duties, the committee will require access to relevant financial records, documents and information,” it read.
The committee’s findings and recommendations are expected to guide future financial decisions for the Polytechnic.
In early April, the State House of Assembly stepped in to address the ongoing crisis at school, sparked by the non-payment of workers’ salaries.
The crisis began after staff members of the school, represented by the Non-Academic Staff Union and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, staged a protest over six months’ worth of unpaid salaries.
The workers also raised concerns about the state government’s failure to implement the national minimum wage.
During a plenary session, the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, announced that the House had no choice but to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the protest.
The committee was tasked with thoroughly looking into the issue and reporting its findings within two weeks.
Speaker Oladiji expressed his concerns about the recurring salary crises at the polytechnic, noting that it seemed to be the only state-owned institution regularly facing such issues, despite having similar funding structures to other institutions in the state.
To lead the investigation, the House appointed Mr. Steven Abitogun (Akure South 2/APC) as the committee chairman, with a clear mandate to find long-term solutions to the dispute.
In addition, Speaker Oladiji announced a four-week recess from April 11 to May 15 to allow lawmakers time to address pressing issues in their respective constituencies and to observe the Easter celebrations. He also thanked the members for their continued support and cooperation since the beginning of the 10th Assembly.
