…Give Aiyedatiwa 14-day ultimatum or face ‘mother of all strikes’

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

AKURE — Workers in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions have issued Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa a 14-day ultimatum to implement the 2026 agreements reached between the Federal Government and university and polytechnic-based unions, threatening a total shutdown of the institutions if their demands are not met.

The ultimatum was issued under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, SSANIP; Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU; and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, in Ondo State tertiary institutions, JAC-ODSTI.

The unions said the ultimatum took effect from August 13, 2026, and warned that failure by the state government to meet their demands would trigger what they described as “the mother of all industrial actions” in the state’s education sector.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting at the University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo, and signed by JAC-ODSTI Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi.

The unions acknowledged the state government’s recent intervention at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, where ₦1.1 billion was released to offset part of the institution’s outstanding salary arrears.

They described the intervention as “a welcome development and proof that government can act when it chooses to,” but said more needed to be done to address the challenges confronting the institutions.

“While we commend this gesture, the truth is that inadequate funding continues to cripple our institutions. Staff welfare is at its lowest ebb and academic activities are suffering,” the communiqué stated.

The unions demanded the immediate implementation of the 2026 agreements reached between the Federal Government and university and polytechnic unions across all state-owned tertiary institutions, beginning with the August 2026 salary cycle.

They also demanded payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the agreements, saying this was necessary to ensure fairness, justice and industrial harmony.

JAC-ODSTI expressed concern over the delay in domesticating the agreements in the state, citing Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, as an example of an institution where the agreement had already been implemented.

The unions also expressed disappointment that, as of August 2026, the approved 2026 state budget had not been implemented for tertiary institutions.

They recalled that the governor had acknowledged that the 2025 budget was “inadequately implemented”, warning that a repeat would further undermine the sector.

The workers also raised concern over the continued payment of ₦18,000 as minimum wage to workers at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, since 2024.

“This is unacceptable and a clear demonstration of insensitivity to the plight of workers,” they said, demanding immediate migration to the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.

The unions further called on Aiyedatiwa, as Visitor to the state-owned tertiary institutions, to appoint new governing councils as the tenure of the current councils expires on August 17, 2026.

They urged the governor to appoint “credible, proactive, selfless individuals”, particularly people with the capacity to attract resources to the institutions.

The unions alleged that some outgoing council members had used their positions for personal benefit rather than contributing to institutional development.

Speaking after the meeting, Ogungbeni said workers had exhausted their patience after years of what he described as poor funding, salary arrears and unfavourable working conditions.

“For more than two years, our members have endured salary arrears, poor funding, and working conditions that no longer reflect the dignity of labour. We cannot continue this way,” he said.

He added, “The governor has done well in some areas. But we need action, not more promises. If by August 27 nothing is done, then we will have no choice but to down tools.”

A strike could affect academic and administrative activities at AAUA, UNIMED, the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECH, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Ondo State College of Education and other state-owned tertiary institutions as preparations for the new academic session intensify.

As of press time, the Ondo State Government had not issued an official response to the ultimatum.

However, sources in the state Ministry of Education said discussions were ongoing to address the issues raised by the unions.

JAC-ODSTI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of its members and promoting the development of tertiary education in the state, but insisted that the next move was now up to the government.