Ondo varsity workers suspend strike, resume Tuesday

By Adebola Muili

Workers under the Joint Action Committee of the Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions (JAC-ODSTI) have suspended their indefinite industrial action and directed members to resume work on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

The unions announced the suspension in a statement issued on Monday by the JAC-ODSTI Chairman, Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Kunle Akinwonmi, following financial intervention by the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the issues that led to the strike.

The industrial action, which commenced on September 2, had affected academic and administrative activities at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

JAC-ODSTI comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

In the statement, the committee directed members in the affected institutions to return to their duties, while expressing appreciation to Aiyedatiwa and other stakeholders for their roles in resolving the dispute.

The unions also commended 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 interventions.

They extended their appreciation to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the general public for their contributions towards the resolution of the dispute.

However, the committee urged the managements of the three institutions to urgently address the non-financial aspects of the Federal Government/union agreement to prevent another disruption of academic activities.

The unions said, “We are also using this medium to appeal to the management of the various universities to take immediate action to address the non-financial aspects of the FGN/Unions Agreement without any further delay to avoid an unwarranted strike in our institutions.”