BREAKING: Ondo varsities shut as SSANU, NASU, NAAT begin indefinite strike
By Boye Oyeyemi
Academic and administrative activities have been disrupted at three Ondo State-owned universities as members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) began an indefinite strike.
The unions embarked on the industrial action to demand the implementation of an agreement between the Federal Government and the unions, as well as payment of outstanding allowances owed their members from January 2026.
The affected institutions are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
In a strike notice dated September 2, 2026, the Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions said the action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government.
The notice, signed by JAC Chairman Tayo Ogungbeni and Secretary Kunle Akinwonmi, said the decision was reached at an emergency meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The unions accused the government of failing to honour its commitment to implement the agreement despite its announcement of a 60% increase in subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions.
They said the government released the same old subventions to the institutions for August 2026, contrary to its promise to increase the allocations by 60%.
Consequently, the unions directed their members to withdraw clerical, administrative, technical, clinical and other services until the CONTTA and all associated allowances owed from January 2026 are paid, while urging the state government to resolve the dispute and end the strike.
