Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Workers in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions have issued Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa a 14-day ultimatum to implement the 2026 agreements reached between the Federal Government and university and polytechnic-based unions, threatening a total shutdown of the institutions if their demands are not met. The ultimatum, which took effect from August 13, 2026, was issued under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) in Ondo State tertiary institutions, known as JAC-ODSTI. The unions warned that failure by the state government to meet their demands within the stipulated period would trigger what they described as "the mother of all industrial actions" in the state's education sector.
The unions acknowledged the state government's recent intervention at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), where N1.1 billion was released to offset part of the institution's outstanding salary arrears. They described the intervention as a welcome development and proof that government can act when it chooses to, but said more needed to be done to address the challenges confronting the institutions. Inadequate funding continues to cripple the institutions, with staff welfare at its lowest ebb and academic activities suffering. The unions demanded the immediate implementation of the 2026 agreements reached between the Federal Government and university and polytechnic unions across all state-owned tertiary institutions, beginning with the August 2026 salary cycle. They also demanded payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the agreements, saying this was necessary to ensure fairness, justice and industrial harmony.
JAC-ODSTI expressed concern over the delay in domesticating the agreements in the state, citing Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, as an example of an institution where the agreement had already been implemented. The unions also expressed disappointment that, as of August 2026, the approved 2026 state budget had not been implemented for tertiary institutions. They recalled that the governor had acknowledged that the 2025 budget was inadequately implemented, warning that a repeat would further undermine the sector. The workers also raised concern over the continued payment of N18,000 as minimum wage to workers at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, since 2024, describing it as unacceptable and a clear demonstration of insensitivity to the plight of workers. They demanded immediate migration to the N70,000 national minimum wage.
The unions further called on Governor Aiyedatiwa, as Visitor to the state-owned tertiary institutions, to appoint new governing councils as the tenure of the current councils expires on August 17, 2026. They urged the governor to appoint credible, proactive, selfless individuals, particularly people with the capacity to attract resources to the institutions. The unions alleged that some outgoing council members had used their positions for personal benefit rather than contributing to institutional development. Speaking after the meeting, JAC chairman Olutayo Ogungbeni said workers had exhausted their patience after years of poor funding, salary arrears and unfavourable working conditions. He said they could not continue that way and warned that if nothing was done by August 27, they would have no choice but to down tools.
The latest ultimatum adds to months of mounting tension between organised labour and the Ondo State Government over the non-implementation of nationally negotiated agreements. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akure Zone, had earlier accused the state government of failing to implement the financial components of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, which took effect from January 1, 2026, and provides for allowances including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Earned Academic Allowances. The zonal coordinator noted that Ondo, as an oil-producing state benefiting from the 13 per cent derivation fund, had the financial capacity to implement the agreement. ASUU has said its agitation was driven partly by the fact that the salary structure agreed under the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement had already been implemented in federal universities and many other state-owned institutions, including FUTA, EKSU and BOUESTI, leaving lecturers in Ondo feeling shortchanged.
Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University had already embarked on an indefinite strike beginning July 10, 2026, over unpaid salaries, with the union's chairman warning that the salary crisis was just the beginning and demanding payment of arrears dating back to January 2026. Academic activities at the university have remained suspended since July 10, 2026, when the union commenced an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries. However, the Ondo State Government has disputed the suggestion that it is ignoring the agreement. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the government had already commenced steps toward implementation. Ajibefun also noted that the agreement was negotiated between the Federal Government and ASUU and therefore required domestication by state governments. He said several states had yet to fully implement the agreement, while assuring that Ondo was working toward compliance.
A strike could affect academic and administrative activities at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA); the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED); the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH); Rufus Giwa Polytechnic; and the Ondo State College of Education. For students and their families, prolonged industrial disputes can result in disrupted academic calendars, delayed examinations and graduations, while institutions face potential setbacks in research, accreditation and staff retention. As negotiations continue, attention remains focused on whether the state government will fully implement the applicable provisions of the 2026 agreements. The workers have made their position clear: they have waited long enough, and they are prepared to shut down the state's tertiary institutions if their demands are not met by August 27. The ball is now in the court of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments