Ondo Varsity Staff Threaten Strike Over Unpaid Salaries
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), in Ondo State, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries, accumulated arrears, and other unmet welfare demands.
The union’s warning comes amid an ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the institution, which has already grounded academic activities since August. If SSANU carries out its threat, the situation could worsen, leading to a complete shutdown of both teaching and administrative services.
AAUA, one of Ondo State’s foremost public universities, has been battling financial strain for months. The workers argue that the government has failed to meet its obligations despite repeated assurances. They say the crisis is affecting staff welfare and creating uncertainty for students and their families.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) at AAUA, Comrade Olutayo Ogungbeni, accused the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration of failing to honor promises made in June 2025 to clear arrears and increase subventions to tertiary institutions.
According to him, SSANU members last received salaries in July, leaving them with more than two months of unpaid entitlements. He noted that staff had exercised patience for too long and were now prepared for a showdown unless urgent action was taken.
Ogungbeni also criticized the level of funding available to AAUA, describing the subventions from government as grossly inadequate. He said the shortfall has made it impossible to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage for university workers, adding to the frustration among staff.
“The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), AAUA, may commence industrial action if all outstanding salaries are not paid. The last salary collected was in July, and now we are in October,” Ogungbeni said.
He further accused the state government of neglecting the institution, warning that while the ASUU strike has crippled academic activities, a simultaneous SSANU strike would halt all administrative and support services, effectively shutting down the university.
Some of SSANU’s demands include the payment of 54 months’ arrears dating back to 2019, settlement of 18 months’ arrears from a 25%/35% salary increment, payment of two months’ arrears of the 2024 minimum wage, and the release of promotion arrears for 2022, 2023, and 2024. The union is also demanding immediate payment of August and September 2025 salaries.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Ondo State Government were unsuccessful, as the state Commissioner for Education could not be reached either by calls or messages for comments at the time of filing this report.
Taiwo Akinyemi is a budding writer and journalist with a dedicated passion for unearthing stories that arouse public interest and advocate good governance in the society. She reports stories within Ondo State and Nigeria’s South West Region.
