The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) chapter, has warned that payment of outstanding salary arrears alone will not prevent another industrial action unless the Ondo State Government implements the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement.

The union disclosed that it had concluded internal procedures for a fresh strike and is awaiting approval from the national leadership of ASUU. It added that the planned action would involve all three state-owned universities in Ondo.

The AAUA chapter of ASUU has been on an indefinite strike since July 10 over the non-payment of lecturers’ salaries.

Speaking on Monday, the branch chairman, Dr Boluwaji Oshodi, said although the union had received information that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had approved funds to offset outstanding salaries, lecturers would only suspend the ongoing strike after receiving payment.

According to him, academic staff are currently owed salaries for May, June and July.

Oshodi explained that while the state government had reportedly engaged with the university management on the issue, the union had not been officially briefed.

He maintained that ASUU would not rely on assurances until members receive salary alerts, insisting that the union responds to concrete actions rather than promises.

Earlier, the university management announced that Governor Aiyedatiwa had approved a special intervention fund to enable the institution meet its financial obligations.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr Sola Imoru.

Despite the development, Oshodi said the payment of salary arrears addresses only one aspect of the union’s grievances.

He stressed that ASUU is also demanding the implementation of the 2025 FG/ASUU agreement, warning that failure to adopt the new salary structure in the university could trigger another round of industrial action.

According to him, both zonal and national officials of the union have already visited the AAUA branch and completed the necessary processes required before embarking on another strike.

He noted that the branch is only awaiting final approval from the national leadership, adding that authorisation could come at any time.

The ASUU chairman further warned that the proposed action would not be limited to AAUA but would also involve Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED).

He argued that lecturers in Ondo State-owned universities feel disadvantaged because the salary structure contained in the 2025 FG/ASUU agreement has already been implemented in federal universities and several state-owned institutions.

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According to Oshodi, the agreement took effect from January 2026, with federal universities and some state institutions already paying the approved salaries and arrears, while lecturers in Ondo State are yet to benefit.

He explained that the union’s demands are in three phases, with payment of the outstanding May, June and July salaries representing only the first stage.

He added that implementation of the new salary structure and payment of arrears dating back to January 2026 remain outstanding issues that must also be addressed.

Meanwhile, some final-year students expressed concern over the prolonged strike, lamenting that the disruption has delayed their academic calendar and graduation plans.

The university management, however, appealed to students and other stakeholders to remain calm, assuring them that the state government has already taken steps to resolve the dispute.

The appeal followed a 72-hour ultimatum earlier issued by the institution’s Students’ Union, urging management to find a lasting solution to the industrial action.

In its statement, the university said the intervention approved by Governor Aiyedatiwa was already being processed and appealed to students to remain patient while procedures for the release of the funds are completed.