ONDO GOVERNMENT RESOLVES UNIVERSITY WORKERS’ WAGE DISPUTE

The Ondo State Government and unions representing workers in the state-owned universities have reached an agreement to resolve the dispute over the implementation of the new salary structure and allowances. The agreement followed a series of meetings between government officials led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union.

Under the agreement, the outstanding issues concerning salary adjustments, allowances and other welfare matters affecting workers in the state’s tertiary institutions are to be addressed. Governor Aiyedatiwa also approved the full domestication of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement on the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure for academic staff in Ondo State-owned universities, with the implementation to reflect the circumstances of the state.

The governor described education as a major priority of his administration and said improving workers’ welfare was necessary for maintaining stability in the state’s tertiary institutions. He said the implementation of the agreement was intended to ensure that academic staff in the state-owned universities were placed on a salary structure comparable with their counterparts elsewhere, while assuring the unions that government would continue discussions with stakeholders to prevent disruptions to academic activities.

The resolution comes after months of tension over the implementation of agreements reached between the Federal Government and university-based unions. In August, workers in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions had issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding implementation of the 2026 agreements and payment of outstanding arrears. The unions had also raised concerns over inadequate funding and staff welfare, with the dispute threatening to disrupt activities across institutions including Adekunle Ajasin University, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology and the University of Medical Sciences.

Responding to the latest development, the ASUU chapter at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, commended the governor for approving the agreement and described the decision as an intervention that could improve staff morale. The unions pledged to reciprocate the government’s action by supporting academic stability and improved productivity, while the state government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony across its tertiary institutions.