ASUU threatens strike over unpaid lecturers’ allowances in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Akure Zone, has accused the Ondo State Government of failing to implement the financial components of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, warning that the delay could spark another round of industrial action in the state’s tertiary institutions.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Adeola Egbedokun, made the allegation during a press conference held at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, statin that the government had yet to fulfil its obligations under the agreement despite being aware of its provisions.

Egbedokun said the union decided to draw the attention of students, parents and other stakeholders to what it described as the government’s prolonged inaction, adding that the delay had negatively affected lecturers’ welfare and the smooth operation of state-owned universities.

According to him, the agreement, which took effect from January 1, 2026, provides for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, Earned Academic Allowance and Professorial Allowance aimed at improving the welfare of academic staff and promoting quality teaching and research.

He lamented that six months after the implementation date, lecturers in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions had yet to receive the approved allowances, while arrears continued to accumulate. Egbedokun also criticised the state’s decision to set up a committee to review an agreement that had already been negotiated and approved nationally.

The ASUU coordinator further argued that Ondo, as an oil-producing state benefiting from the 13 per cent derivation fund, had the financial capacity to implement the agreement, warning that continued delays would further weaken staff morale, encourage brain drain and undermine the quality of higher education.

The union therefore demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement, payment of all outstanding allowances and arrears from January 1, 2026, while warning that it would resort to lawful trade union actions if the government failed to act without further delay.

Responding, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the government had already commenced steps to domesticate the agreement, noting that most states were yet to implement it. He assured lecturers that Ondo was making progress towards fulfilling its obligations.