By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State Commissioner for Education Prof Igbekele Amos Ajibefun, is entangled with allegations of collecting double salary from the state government purse.
Ajibefun, a former vice chancellor of the state owned University, is allegedly drawing salaries from two public institutions as a commissioner and a University don— a claim he denied.
Speaking on the issue, the Commissioner described the double salary allegation as “false,” insisting that he does not earn a salary from the University of Medical Sciences,(UNIMED), Ondo. However, he acknowledged that he receives payments in the form of sitting allowances.
He admitted collecting sitting allowances from the UNIMED, Ondo, while simultaneously serving as a cabinet member of the state government, amid growing controversy over alleged double remuneration.
Ajibefun explained that what he receives from the state University is statutory allowances as a member of the university’s Governing Council.
“I do not collect salary from UNIMED. I am not a staff member of the university. I only attend council meetings,” he said.
When asked directly whether he collects sitting allowances, the Commissioner responded in the affirmative.
“Yes, all members of the council collect sitting allowances,” he said, adding that the payments are made during official sittings of the council.
He further disclosed that council meetings typically hold about three times annually, aside from emergency sessions.
Though he insisted the payments are backed by law, he declined to state how much he has received since assuming office.
“I don’t have the figures off-hand. You can ask the universities from their records,” he said.
On whether he receives similar allowances from other state-owned tertiary institutions where he sits on governing councils, the Commissioner did not give a categorical breakdown, but maintained that his membership is statutory.
“As Commissioner for Education, I am a member of the council by law. If the law changes, I will not attend,” he stated.
The Commissioner, however, maintained that the payments are lawful and part of the statutory framework guiding university governance.
“It is part of the law establishing these universities,” he said.
Despite defending the legality of the payments, the Commissioner’s refusal to disclose the total amount received is likely to fuel further calls for transparency.
As pressure mounts, stakeholders are urging the state government to clarify the remuneration structure for political appointees serving on governing councils of public institutions.
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