The Ondo State Government has approved a 60 per cent increase in the monthly subvention to all state-owned tertiary institutions, alongside the immediate implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The decision comes amid concerns over workers’ welfare and industrial disputes, including the ongoing action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
Here are the key things to know:
1. What is subvention?
Subvention is financial support provided by the government to an institution or organisation to help it meet its running expenses.
For state-owned universities and other tertiary institutions, monthly subvention can help the institutions pay salaries, maintain facilities and meet other operational obligations.
2. What does the 60% increase mean?
The state government has increased the monthly financial allocation given to its tertiary institutions by 60 per cent.
This means the institutions will have more government funding available to meet their financial obligations.
3. Staff salaries are one major focus
According to the government, the
increased funding is intended to strengthen the institutions’ ability to pay salaries promptly.
This could help reduce salary-related pressures that affect workers and contribute to industrial disputes.
4. The FGN-ASUU agreement will also be implemented
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also approved the immediate implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement in the affected state-owned tertiary institutions.
The government said this is intended to address outstanding welfare concerns and bring the institutions in line with national standards.
5. What could this mean for ASUU’s industrial action?
The announcement comes while the ASUU branch at Adekunle Ajasin University is on strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
The new approval could therefore provide a basis for renewed discussions between the government, university management and the union.
However, the announcement does not automatically mean the strike has been suspended. The union would have to consider the government’s actions and determine its next step.
6. Students could benefit indirectly
The government said the additional funding is also aimed at improving the learning environment.
If properly utilised, increased funding could support better maintenance, academic activities and other services that affect students’ university experience.
7. Government wants institutions to use the money properly
Governor Aiyedatiwa directed the management of the affected institutions to ensure the judicious use of the increased subvention, with priority given to staff welfare and academic excellence.
This means the additional funding is expected to translate into tangible improvements rather than simply increasing the institutions’ available funds.
8. The bigger issue is industrial harmony
The government also appealed to university unions to reciprocate its decision by maintaining industrial harmony and concentrating on the delivery of quality education.
Also, the biggest expectation is that the increased funding and implementation of the agreement will help reduce the recurring disputes that interrupt academic activities.
In simple terms, the 60 per cent increase gives Ondo’s state-owned tertiary institutions more government funding to meet their obligations, while the implementation of the FGN-ASUU agreement is expected to address some of the welfare concerns behind the current industrial dispute.
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