BREAKING: Ondo university unions suspend strike, direct workers to resume Tuesday

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions has suspended its indefinite industrial action and directed workers in the affected institutions to resume duties on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

The decision was contained in a statement signed by the JAC-ODSTI Chairman, Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Kunle Akinwonmi. The committee said the suspension followed interventions by the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, aimed at resolving the issues that led to the industrial action.

The strike, which commenced on September 2, involved members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, the Non-Academic Staff Union and the National Association of Academic Technologists.

Consequently, academic and administrative activities were affected at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

The unions had embarked on the strike over unresolved issues concerning the implementation of agreements reached between the Federal Government and university-based unions. The development had disrupted activities across the affected state-owned institutions.

However, following the intervention by the state government, the committee said progress had been made towards resolving the dispute. It commended Governor Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Amos Ajibefun, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Union Matters, Bola Taiwo, for their roles in addressing the impasse.

JAC-ODSTI also acknowledged the contributions of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and members of the public towards resolving the dispute. At the same time, it urged the managements of the affected institutions to address the outstanding non-financial aspects of the agreement between the Federal Government and the unions.

The committee warned that the remaining issues should be resolved promptly to prevent another industrial dispute. It subsequently directed all affected workers to resume their duties on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.