The Adekunle Ajasin University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Akungba-Akoko has instructed its members to suspend their services due to the Ondo State Government’s failure to settle unpaid salaries and arrears.
This directive was announced in a statement jointly signed by the branch Chairperson, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi, and Secretary, Dr. Olusegun Taiwo, and shared with the press on Sunday.
The union stated that the decision followed a resolution passed during its Congress held on Thursday, August 21, where members unanimously agreed to halt academic activities until the government meets its financial commitments.
“Sir, by this memo, our members have been directed to withdraw their services from all academic activities in the university until all our outstanding salaries and arrears are paid,” the notice partly read.
This move comes on the heels of a 14-day warning strike declared in June by the Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned Tertiary Institutions, ODSTI, of which ASUU-AAUA is a member. That strike, the union explained, was necessitated by the prolonged neglect of workers’ welfare despite repeated appeals to the state government.
JAC had at the time listed several grievances, including poor and inadequate funding, non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage, unpaid arrears from previous wage regimes, non-payment of the final tranche of wage awards, outstanding gratuities for retirees, and six months of unpaid salaries owed to staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
While acknowledging the financial constraints of state-owned institutions, the Ondo State Government maintained that it is making deliberate efforts to address the challenges. Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku on Sunday, disclosed that a committee had already been constituted to proffer lasting solutions.
“A committee was set up to resolve the issue. It has met and recommendations have been made. For the salary arrears, the governor has already directed the university to commence payment. I am confident the matter will be resolved within days,” Ajanaku assured.
He also explained that recommendations from the committee would be factored into the state’s next budget cycle to guarantee improved funding for its tertiary institutions.