Workers across all state-owned tertiary institutions in Ondo State have commenced a 14-day warning strike, beginning midnight of Thursday, June 19, 2025, over unresolved issues bordering on poor welfare and neglect by the state government.
The industrial action was declared by the Joint Action Committee of Ondo State Owned Tertiary Institutions (JAC-ODSTI), following what it described as the persistent failure of the state government to address critical demands affecting the well-being of academic and non-academic staff.
In a circular made available to Starnews NG, the leadership of JAC-ODSTI expressed disappointment over the government’s inaction despite repeated appeals and promises made by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during a meeting held with union representatives on May 1, 2025.
According to the committee, issues prompting the warning strike include the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage in the institutions, non-payment of arrears of previous minimum wages, unpaid tranche of wage awards, outstanding gratuities to retirees, and six months’ salary arrears owed to staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
“Several letters have been written to the state government without response. We even met personally with Mr. Governor on May Day, where promises were made. However, nothing has changed. The situation has become unbearable,” the committee stated.
The union disclosed that a 7-day ultimatum issued on June 2, 2025, expired without any concrete response or action from the government, prompting the current warning strike.
The directive mandates members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) across Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to withdraw from all official duties.
“The strike shall be total. No member is permitted to carry out any official task during this period. Any member found in violation shall be considered a saboteur and dealt with accordingly,” the statement warned.
The committee called on political stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and well-meaning individuals in the state to intervene in order to avert a complete shutdown of academic activities across the affected institutions.
“We are left with no other choice. The government is playing politics with our lives and those of our children. We urge stakeholders to step in before the situation deteriorates further,” the union added.
The institutions are expected to remain shut for the duration of the strike if the state government fails to address the grievances raised.
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