Strike: Ondo varsity lecturers yet to receive payments despite N1.1bn approval by gov

Lecturers and staff at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) remain unpaid for outstanding salaries, despite Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's recent approval of N1.1 billion for the institution. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at AAUA, which began a strike on July 10 over the payment demands, has yet to see any alerts from banks, according to union chairperson Bolu Oshodi.

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As we speak now, the latest information is that the government has released the money to the university, but the university is still waiting for the money to drop into its account.

Oshodi explained that the "intervention fund" was intended to cover salary backlogs and other expenditures. "As we speak now, the latest information is that the government has released the money to the university, but the university is still waiting for the money to drop into its account," he told journalists. "They said the problem is with the bank, but as far as we are concerned, what our members are waiting for is the alert."

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They said the problem is with the bank, but as far as we are concerned, what our members are waiting for is the alert. As we speak, we are yet to receive any alert.

The crisis extends beyond lecturers to all university staff. Oshodi expressed concern over the recurring funding issues, noting that even if current arrears are settled, a deeper crisis looms. The July subvention of N223 million is significantly less than the N550 million required for the university's wage bill, leaving a substantial shortfall.

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If N223 million has been released again for July, how will the university get over N300 million to augment it? Without any prejudice, by all indications, if we are already due to receive July salary, as we speak now, we are being owed three months’ salary.

Compounding the problem is the state government's failure to implement the new salary structure for university lecturers, agreed upon nationally in December 2025. While federal universities and several state institutions have adopted it, Ondo State has not. ASUU warns of further action if this structure is not implemented promptly, highlighting that surrounding state universities are already benefiting from it. "With the way things are, the AAUA ASUU branch is ready to embark on another action if the new salary structure is not implemented immediately," Oshodi stated.

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Our members can no longer continue to hope. All the state universities around us have started enjoying this new salary structure. We are just surprised why Ondo State has not implemented it.