Ondo Releases N1.1bn To Clear AAUA Salary Arrears, End ASUU Strike

Ondo State governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the release of N1.1 billion as a special intervention fund to clear outstanding salary arrears owed workers of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), in a bid to end the industrial dispute that has disrupted academic activities at the institution.

The intervention follows an indefinite strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), AAUA chapter, over the non-payment of lecturers’ salaries for May and June 2026.

The union commenced the total and indefinite withdrawal of services at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 10, after its congress resolved not to resume work until the outstanding salaries were fully paid.

The industrial action disrupted academic activities at the state-owned university, forcing the postponement of second-semester examinations earlier scheduled to begin on July 20.

The crisis also drew the attention of the AAUA Students’ Union, which issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ondo State Government, demanding immediate action to resolve the dispute and restore normal academic activities.

The students warned that failure by the government to demonstrate genuine commitment within the stipulated period could trigger peaceful protests to safeguard their educational interests.

Earlier, the university management had appealed to students to remain calm, assuring them that the state government was already processing a special intervention fund to address the salary backlog.

Announcing the approval, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the N1.1 billion intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to education and workers’ welfare.

According to him, the fund is specifically designated to offset the outstanding salary arrears owed university staff and bring the industrial action to an end.

Adeniyan added that Governor Aiyedatiwa had directed the Ministry of Finance and the university management to ensure the prompt release and disbursement of the funds.

The statement quoted the governor as saying, “We appeal to the unions to suspend the strike and return to work in the interest of our students and the development of the institution.”