Ondo Universities begin strike

News Update

Workers under the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union and National Association of Academic Technologists have commenced an indefinite strike across the three state-owned universities in Ondo State.

The industrial action, which takes effect from midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, is aimed at forcing the Ondo State Government to implement the Federal Government and unions’ agreement with effect from January 2026.

The affected institutions are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

The decision was contained in a strike notice issued by the JAC leadership following an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The notice was signed by the JAC-ODSTI Secretary, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, and the Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni.

According to the unions, the strike became necessary following the alleged failure of the state government to fulfil its promise to implement the agreement from the August 2026 salary.

“Whereas, the same government released the same old subventions to all the institutions without the 60 per cent promised for the month of August 2026,” the unions stated.

The workers recalled that the state government had announced a 60 per cent increase in subventions to all tertiary institutions in the state, alongside approval for the full implementation of the FGN/Unions Agreement from August 2026.

They, however, alleged that the government failed to match the announcement with corresponding funding, despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to compel it to act.

“It is crystal clear that the State Government is playing politics with our lives and wellbeing, therefore, we have no other alternative than to embark on this industrial action,” the unions said.

The JAC directed its members to withdraw all clerical, administrative, technical, clinical and other services provided across the three universities until their demands are met.

The unions specifically demanded the unconditional payment of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions and other allowances attached to the agreement from January 2026 to date.

The workers appealed to their members to comply fully with the directive, declaring, “Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!”