In a dramatic turn of events, staff members at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO) in Owo, Ondo State, have begun an indefinite strike over the non-payment of their salaries, leaving the state-owned institution in a state of unrest. The protest, which kicked off on Tuesday, was organized by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), as workers demand overdue payments and the implementation of the national minimum wage.
Carrying placards that read “We Are Hungry,” “Pay Our 6 Months’ Salaries,” and “Mr. Governor, Please Implement Our 2025 Budget,” the workers took to the streets within the campus to voice their frustration. Despite being owed for six months of unpaid wages, they also highlighted the government’s failure to fulfill its promise of implementing the new national minimum wage for employees of the institution.
During the peaceful protest, labor leaders including Julius Olugbenga-Aro, Chairman of NASU at RUGIPO, and Saka Olokungboy, SSANIP Chairman, urged Ondo State Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take immediate action. Olugbenga-Aro expressed the workers’ dire situation, stating, “This protest is to highlight our suffering due to the non-payment of six months’ salaries and the failure to implement the national minimum wage.”
Although the workers acknowledged Governor Aiyedatiwa’s developmental efforts, including his approval for the conversion of RUGIPO into a university, they emphasized the urgent need for the governor to fulfill their financial demands. They called for the immediate disbursement of overdue salaries, full implementation of the 2025 institutional budget, and the swift execution of the national minimum wage policy.
As the strike continues, concerns are rising about the potential disruption of the academic calendar. The workers have urged the state government to act swiftly, warning that prolonged delays could lead to further setbacks in the school’s operations.
With tensions high and no resolution in sight, the Ondo State Government faces mounting pressure to resolve the issues before the situation escalates further.
