The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) chapter, has warned that paying outstanding salary arrears alone will not end its ongoing strike. The union said another industrial action could follow unless the Ondo State Government fully implements the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement.
The union disclosed that it has completed internal processes for a fresh strike and is awaiting approval from its national leadership. According to the union, the proposed action will involve all three Ondo State-owned universities if the agreement remains unimplemented.
AAUA lecturers have been on an indefinite strike since July 10 over the non-payment of their salaries. The industrial action has disrupted academic activities and left students uncertain about when lectures will resume. Meanwhile, the university management recently announced that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved a special intervention fund to address the salary backlog. However, ASUU insists the ongoing strike will only be suspended after lecturers receive their outstanding salary alerts.
ASUU Insists on Salary Alerts Before Suspending Ongoing Strike
Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of ASUU-AAUA, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi, said the union had been informed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa released funds to the university. Nevertheless, he stressed that the strike would only be suspended after lecturers received salary alerts.
He also revealed that lecturers are now owed salaries for May, June and July.
“Government has not spoken to us directly, but it has discussed with the university management. The information reaching us is that the governor has released some money to the university management to offset the salaries.
“But as of today, July 27, lecturers are already being owed three months’ salaries – May, June and July.”
Although the union acknowledged reports that the governor had signed the payment warrant, Oshodi said ASUU would not rely on assurances.
“We have heard that the governor has signed the warrant and that the money will be available anytime from now, but as a union, we don’t work with promises. We work with action. Until we receive the salary alerts, we will not believe the money has been released.
Fresh Strike Looms Over 2025 ASUU/Federal Government Agreement
Oshodi explained that the salary dispute represents only the first phase of the union’s agitation. He said the implementation of the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement remains a more fundamental issue.
“Beyond that, there is another pending issue, which has to do with the implementation of the 2025 ASUU/FGN agreement. We have informed the management that if this agreement is not implemented in our university, then we are set for another round of strike.”
According to him, the branch has completed all the procedures required for another industrial action.
“We have concluded the process because the zone and national ASUU delegation have visited our branch, and we are waiting for their approval. That approval can come at any time.
“Even if this particular strike is suspended, there is a pending strike that can commence at any time if the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement is not implemented in our university.”
He warned that the next phase of the dispute would extend beyond AAUA.
“If the government clears the May and June salaries, the battle has just begun. This one will be brutal because it will involve all three Ondo State-owned universities – AAUA, OAUSTECH and UNIMED. All these three universities will embark on this strike at the same time.
Union Demands New Salary Structure and Arrears
Oshodi argued that lecturers in Ondo State were being treated unfairly because many federal and state universities had already implemented the 2025 ASUU/Federal Government agreement.
“The agreement came into effect from January 2026. Federal universities have implemented it and paid the arrears. A large number of state universities have also implemented it.
“As we speak, we do not have any assurance that the agreement is going to be implemented in our university, and that is a big issue. Universities like FUTA, EKSU and BOUESTI have implemented this agreement, so our members feel cheated.”
He added that the union’s demands extend beyond the payment of outstanding salaries.
“The issue of May, June and July salaries is just a phase. The moment these salaries are paid without the new salary structure, another round of agitation will start.
“We are also demanding the payment of arrears because the agreement took effect from January 2026. So, our agitation is in three phases; we are just on the first phase.”
Students Express Concern as Management Appeals for Patience
Meanwhile, some final-year students lamented that the strike began shortly before the commencement of their final examinations. They said the industrial action has delayed their graduation.
Earlier, the Students’ Union issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the university management, demanding a resolution of the dispute.
In response, the management appealed to students and other stakeholders to remain calm. In a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr. Sola Imoru, the university said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had approved a special intervention fund to enable the institution meet its financial obligations.
The statement read: “Management considers the ultimatum unnecessary as the Governor of Ondo State and Visitor to the university, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has already approved a special intervention fund to enable the university to meet its financial obligations.
“This development was duly discussed with the leadership of the students’ union. Management, therefore, appeals to all students to remain calm and exercise patience while the payment processes initiated by the Visitor to the university are being concluded.”
The management expressed confidence that the government’s intervention would resolve the salary dispute and facilitate the resumption of academic activities. However, ASUU maintains that the ongoing strike will remain in force until lecturers receive their outstanding salaries. The union further warned that resolving the salary dispute would only address the first phase of its agitation. It insisted that failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement could trigger another statewide strike involving AAUA, OAUSTECH and UNIMED.
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