Ondo Varsities Staff Strike Suspended: Governor Aiyedatiwa Intervenes

• Staff unions in Ondo State tertiary institutions have suspended a month-long industrial action, effective September 29, 2026.
• The strike, which began on September 2, 2026, stemmed from the non-implementation of agreed wage structures, unpaid allowances, and unresolved staff welfare issues.
• Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's financial intervention was credited as the primary reason for the strike's suspension.
• Members of SSANU, NASU, and NAAT across Adekunle Ajasin University, Olusegun Agagu University, and the University of Medical Sciences are directed to resume duties.
• The unions urged university managements to promptly address the non-financial aspects of the FGN/Unions Agreement to prevent future disputes.

The resolution underscores the critical role of state government intervention in navigating complex industrial relations within Nigeria's public higher education sector.

Staff unions representing workers across Ondo State's tertiary institutions have announced the suspension of a month-long industrial action, effective Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The decision, communicated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Ondo State-owned Tertiary Institutions, brings an end to a period of significant disruption in the state's higher education sector. This development follows a crucial intervention by the state's Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, aimed at resolving the protracted labour dispute.

The industrial action, which commenced on September 2, 2026, had seen members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) withdraw their services. These unions represent staff at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo. The suspension means that all affected staff are directed to resume their duties on the specified date, allowing academic and administrative activities to recommence.

The genesis of the Ondo State tertiary institutions strike lay in a series of unresolved grievances concerning staff welfare and the implementation of existing agreements. The unions initiated the industrial action due to the non-implementation of agreed Federal Government-unions wage structures, a persistent issue that has fueled numerous Nigerian university staff industrial actions across the country. Additionally, the dispute encompassed unpaid allowances and other long-standing staff welfare issues that had not been adequately addressed by the university managements or the state government.

The Joint Action Committee, through its Chairman Tayo Ogungbeni and Secretary Kunle Akinwonmi, had consistently highlighted these concerns, emphasizing the impact on the livelihoods of their members. The inability to resolve these matters through conventional channels ultimately led to the declaration of an indefinite strike, underscoring the deep-seated nature of the labour dispute and the frustration among the university staff unions in Ondo.

The breakthrough in the impasse came through the direct involvement of Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The Joint Action Committee explicitly cited the Governor's "financial intervention" as the catalyst for their decision to suspend the strike. This decisive action by the state's chief executive proved instrumental in addressing some of the core financial demands that had driven the industrial action, paving the way for a resolution.

The resolution underscores the critical role of state government intervention in navigating complex industrial relations within Nigeria's public higher education sector. The unions expressed their gratitude not only to Governor Aiyedatiwa but also acknowledged the efforts of the State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Union Matters, Bola Taiwo. Members of the NUJ and the general public were also thanked for their roles in facilitating the successful labour dispute resolution Nigeria witnessed in this instance.

While the immediate crisis of the Ondo varsities staff strike suspended has been averted, the Joint Action Committee has issued a clear directive regarding the future. They appealed to the managements of the affected universities to promptly address the non-financial aspects of the broader FGN/Unions Agreement. This call highlights the ongoing need for comprehensive compliance with collective bargaining agreements to prevent a recurrence of industrial unrest.

The unions' emphasis on these outstanding non-financial issues signals that while the financial aspects of the dispute may have been temporarily assuaged, underlying structural and welfare concerns remain. Proactive engagement and full implementation of all facets of the agreement are crucial steps to ensure long-term stability and avoid future unwarranted strikes within Ondo State's tertiary institutions, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established labour laws and agreements.

This development highlights the critical role of state government intervention in resolving industrial disputes within public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Lawyers advising educational bodies, labour unions, or government agencies should monitor the implementation of the non-financial aspects of the FGN/Unions Agreement to prevent future industrial actions and ensure compliance with labour laws and collective bargaining agreements.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH