ONDO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THREATEN SHUTDOWN OVER MINIMUM WAGE, POOR FUNDING
By Opeyemi Olugbemi
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Ondo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions has issued a fresh seven-day ultimatum to the state government, demanding immediate implementation of the new minimum wage and resolution of long-standing financial issues affecting the sector.
In a strongly worded letter dated April 27 and addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, JAC accused the government of consistent neglect and underfunding of the four state-owned institutions: Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
The letter, jointly signed by JAC Chairman Olutayo Ogungbeni and Secretary Kunle Akinwonmi, highlighted critical concerns including the non-payment of the 2024 National Minimum Wage, over 54 months of outstanding salary arrears, continued payment of the obsolete N18,000 minimum wage at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, and non-release of withheld subventions dating back to 2017.
The union decried what it described as “government propaganda” surrounding subvention increases and pointed to neighbouring Ekiti State’s recent 300% subvention boost as a benchmark Ondo State, an oil-producing region, should emulate.
Efforts to resolve the crisis, according to the committee, have repeatedly stalled despite engagements with the governor’s Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties.
“The failure of the state government to act decisively has left us with no choice,” the committee warned, threatening a total shutdown of academic activities across all four institutions if the demands are not met within the stipulated timeframe.
This latest warning follows a similar ultimatum earlier in the month, which expired without resolution. In response, the Ondo State Government attributed the delay to ongoing work by a technical committee tasked with developing a sustainable adjustment framework for the new N73,000 minimum wage. The government reiterated its commitment to implementation once the consequential adjustment table is finalised.
As tension mounts, stakeholders fear a looming shutdown could significantly disrupt academic calendars and further strain the state’s education sector.
