Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
Hundreds of students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, on Thursday barricaded the busy Akungba-Owo Road in a dramatic protest against a prolonged 68-day strike by the institution’s non-academic staff, demanding an immediate resolution to the industrial action that has paralysed academic activities. The protest, which began in the early hours of the morning, saw students converging at the main gate of the university before spilling onto the major highway, effectively blocking vehicular movement along the critical route linking Ondo State to other parts of the South-West.
The students, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “End the Strike Now,” “We Want Our Future Back,” and “Pay the Workers, Save Our Education,” expressed frustration over the continued closure of the university, which has left thousands of students stranded and their academic calendar in disarray. The strike, which commenced on June 27, 2026, was called by the non-academic staff unions—the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU)—over the non-payment of their salaries, among other grievances.
The protest turned chaotic as students blocked the Akungba-Owo Road for several hours, causing a massive gridlock that affected commuters and motorists travelling to and from Akure, the Ondo State capital. The students, who vowed to sustain the protest until their demands were met, also prevented vehicular access to the university, effectively shutting down activities within the institution’s premises. The situation, however, was eventually brought under control following the intervention of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were deployed to the scene to restore order.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting students, the President of the Adekunle Ajasin University Students’ Union, Comrade Opeyemi Ajayi, expressed disappointment over the state government’s perceived indifference to the plight of both the workers and the students. Ajayi accused the Ondo State Government of failing to honour its agreements with the unions, which he said had led to the prolonged strike. “We are tired of waiting. Our colleagues have been at home for 68 days, and the government has done nothing to resolve this crisis. We cannot continue to watch our future being destroyed,” Ajayi said. He, however, noted that the protest was peaceful and that the students would continue to press for a resolution until the strike was called off.
The unions, SSANU and NASU, had declared a total withdrawal of services on June 27, 2026, following the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the Ondo State Government to address their demands, including the immediate payment of their outstanding salaries and the implementation of a new salary structure. The unions had accused the government of reneging on promises made to them, including the implementation of the 2025/2026 salary agreement and the payment of arrears owed to their members. The prolonged strike, which has entered its third month, has disrupted academic activities and raised fears that the university may be forced to shut down entirely for the academic session.
In response to the students’ protest, the Ondo State Government has called for an emergency meeting with the leadership of the striking unions and the university administration to find a lasting solution to the crisis. The government’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Taiwo Olaolu, confirmed the development, noting that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had directed the relevant agencies to engage the unions immediately to resolve the impasse. “The government is not unmindful of the plight of the students and the workers. We are committed to finding a solution that will ensure that academic activities resume as soon as possible,” Olaolu said. “The governor has directed that the issues raised by the unions be addressed, and we are confident that the meetings will yield positive results.”
The protest comes at a time when the Ondo State Government is already facing mounting criticism over its handling of the crisis. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has also expressed solidarity with the non-academic staff unions, warning of a total shutdown of academic activities across state-owned universities in Ondo if the government fails to resolve the dispute. ASUU’s Ondo State chapter chairman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the federal and state governments must take the welfare of university workers seriously. “We cannot have a functional university system without adequately compensating the workers. This strike is a symptom of a deeper problem in the system, and it must be addressed holistically,” he said.
The strike has also taken a toll on the students, many of whom have been forced to stay at home for over two months. Some students expressed frustration over the situation, noting that the strike had disrupted their academic plans and could lead to a loss of time and resources. “We have been at home for 68 days, and we are tired of the uncertainty. We want to go back to school and finish our education,” said one of the students who participated in the protest.
However, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued on Thursday, appealed to the students to remain calm and avoid acts that could lead to a breakdown of law and order. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to resolving the dispute and urged the unions to return to the negotiating table. He also assured the students that the government would continue to prioritise education and the welfare of workers. “We understand the pain of the students and their parents, and we are working tirelessly to bring this matter to a close. I want to assure all stakeholders that the government is committed to ensuring that academic activities resume as soon as possible,” the governor said.
The strike has also attracted the attention of the National Association of Nigerian Students, which has condemned the Ondo State Government’s handling of the crisis. The students’ body has called on the government to immediately pay the workers’ salaries and address their grievances. NANS has also threatened to shut down the Ondo State Government House if the government fails to act within a stipulated timeframe. “We are monitoring the situation in Ondo State, and we will not hesitate to take drastic action if the government continues to ignore the plight of the students,” a NANS official said.
The protest, however, has sent a strong signal to the Ondo State Government that the students are no longer willing to remain passive spectators in the crisis. With the strike now in its third month, the pressure is mounting on Governor Aiyedatiwa and his administration to find a lasting solution to the crisis. The emergency meeting called by the government has raised hopes that a resolution may be in sight, but the unions have remained steadfast in their demands. As the situation unfolds, the fate of the university and its 20,000 students hangs in the balance, and the government’s ability to resolve the dispute will be a critical test of its commitment to education and the welfare of its citizens.
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