Workers in the three state-owned universities in Ondo State have commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the state government to implement the Federal Government/university unions’ agreement from January 2026.

The industrial action, declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), takes effect from Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The affected institutions are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.

In a strike notice issued after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the unions directed their members to withdraw all clerical, administrative, technical, clinical and other services across the three institutions until their demands are met.

The notice, signed by the JAC-ODSTI Secretary, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, and Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni, said the action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government without the required implementation.

The unions accused the government of reneging on its promise to implement the agreement with effect from the August 2026 salary, alleging that the institutions received the same old subventions without the promised 60 per cent increase.

“Whereas, the same government released the same old subventions to all the institutions without the 60 per cent promised for the month of August 2026,” the unions stated.

They recalled that the state government had announced a 60 per cent increase in subventions to tertiary institutions in the state, as well as approval for the full implementation of the FGN/Unions Agreement from August 2026.

The workers, however, alleged that the announcement was not backed by corresponding funding, insisting that the government’s failure to act had left them with no option but to embark on the industrial action.

“It is crystal clear that the State Government is playing politics with our lives and wellbeing, therefore, we have no other alternative than to embark on this industrial action,” the unions said.

The JAC is demanding the unconditional payment of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions and other allowances contained in the agreement, with effect from January 2026 to date.

The unions directed all members to fully comply with the strike directive until their demands are addressed. (Nigerian Tribune)