Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions have officially launched an indefinite strike on Monday, protesting the non-payment of staff minimum wages and other outstanding arrears. This strike action, led by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State Tertiary Institutions, is a direct result of unfulfilled agreements regarding salary increments and wage payments.
Dr. Kola Lawal, Chairman of the JAC, confirmed the development in Ibadan, explaining that despite months of negotiations and multiple ultimatums, the state government and management of the institutions have not acted on the approved 25% and 35% salary increases. According to Lawal, institutions like Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education have already implemented these increases, highlighting the growing frustration among the unions.
Lawal emphasized that the unions were also demanding an increase in the subvention allocated to the institutions to meet their financial obligations, including paying the newly approved wage structures. He appealed to Governor Engr. Oluseyi Makinde to intervene and prioritize the welfare of workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.
The strike action follows a two-day warning strike in February and a three-day final ultimatum. However, with no significant progress made by March 5, 2025, the unions were left with no choice but to initiate the indefinite strike, demanding urgent responses from the management.
In response, rectors from the affected institutions, including The Polytechnic Ibadan, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, and others, have issued a public plea to the unions to reconsider the timing of the strike. They argued that such an action would disrupt academic activities and hinder ongoing negotiations. The rectors requested more time for further discussions, urging the unions to consider the negative impact on students and local communities.
Despite the appeal, Dr. Kola Lawal assured the rectors that the unions would hold an online meeting to discuss the request, showing a willingness to engage in dialogue while standing firm on their demands for fair wages and improved working conditions.
The strike has already caused a stir in the state, with both sides calling for swift action to resolve the crisis. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the state government and the unions to reach a resolution that avoids further disruption to education in Oyo State.
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