The Joint Action Committee of the unions in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to implement the 2026 Federal Government agreements for workers or face industrial action.
The committee, comprising SSANU, SSANIP, NASU and NAAT, issued the ultimatum in a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, after its meeting at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, on Wednesday.
JAC-ODSTI urged the governor to commence full implementation of the agreements with the August 2026 salaries and settle all outstanding arrears from January.
“JAC-ODSTI hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum with effect from August 13, 2026, to the state government and management teams of all Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions to ensure full implementation of the 2026 FGN agreements,” the communiqué stated.
The unions said failure to meet the demand within the stipulated period would lead to what they described as the “mother of all industrial actions.”
They commended Aiyedatiwa for releasing N1.1bn to offset part of the salary arrears owed workers of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, describing the intervention as a positive step towards addressing the institution’s financial challenges.
However, the committee said the bailout was not enough to resolve the wider funding crisis affecting the state’s tertiary institutions.
“Several unresolved financial issues caused by inadequate funding continue to affect staff welfare negatively, as well as the effective functioning of tertiary institutions in the state,” it said.
The unions also demanded the immediate release of the 2026 budgetary allocations to all state-owned tertiary institutions, alleging that the approved budget had not been implemented for the sector as of August.
They further urged the governor to reconstitute the governing councils of the institutions before the expiration of their eight-year tenure on August 17, stressing that credible and development-focused individuals should be appointed.
JAC-ODSTI also condemned the continued payment of N18,000 to workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, despite the N70,000 national minimum wage, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“We passionately appeal to the state government to commence, without further delay, the full implementation of the FGN agreement to all staff of the state-owned tertiary institutions, unfailingly, with effect from August 2026 salaries,” the unions stated.
The committee said its demands were aimed at protecting workers’ welfare, ensuring industrial harmony and preventing further deterioration of tertiary education in Ondo State.
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