Ondo Varsities Shut As SSANU, NASU, NAAT Begin Indefinite Strike

Academic and administrative activities have been paralysed at three universities owned by the Ondo State Government following the commencement of an indefinite strike by non-academic workers.

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

The industrial action was declared by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) over alleged failure by the state government to implement an agreement reached with the unions and pay outstanding allowances owed their members since January 2026.

In a strike notice dated September 2, 2026, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions said the action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Ondo State Government.

The notice, signed by JAC Chairman, Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Kunle Akinwonmi, said the decision to embark on the strike was taken at an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, September 1.

The unions accused the state government of reneging on its commitment to implement the agreement despite its earlier announcement of a 60 per cent increase in subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions.

According to the unions, the institutions received the same level of subvention for August 2026, contrary to the government’s promise to increase the allocations by 60 per cent.

Consequently, the JAC directed its members to withdraw their services, including clerical, administrative, technical and clinical duties, until the CONTTA and other associated allowances outstanding since January 2026 are fully paid.

The unions urged the state government to urgently resolve the dispute, honour its commitments and take steps towards ending the industrial action.

The strike is expected to further disrupt academic and administrative activities across the three institutions until the issues in contention are resolved.