Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have declared an indefinite strike to protest unpaid salaries and arrears, a move that has paralysed academic and social activities on campus.
The action, which began last Thursday, followed a Congress meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). In a letter jointly signed by Branch Chairperson, Boluwaji Oshodi, and Secretary, Olusegun Taiwo, the union said members would not return to work until all outstanding entitlements were paid.
Speaking to reporters, Comrade Oshodi accused the Ondo State Government of neglecting the institution’s funding needs.
“We are owed two months’ salaries—July and August—along with several arrears, promotion benefits, and earned allowances running into billions. Until everything is addressed, we are not going back,” he said.
He added that the union had written repeatedly to both the university and the state government, warning of a strike if payments were not made.
Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, dismissed claims of neglect. He insisted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration had been releasing monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions without delay.
Ajibefun assured that the government was already engaging the lecturers to resolve the crisis.
Efforts to reach the university’s spokesman, Victor Akinpelumi, were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, students remain in limbo as lectures and campus activities remain suspended.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
