Workers’ unions in three Ondo State-owned universities have suspended their four-week-old strike following a financial intervention by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, directing members to resume duties on Tuesday (today).
The Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned Tertiary Institutions (JAC-ODSTI) announced the suspension in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Kunle Akinwonmi, on Monday.
The strike, which began on September 2, disrupted activities at Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.
The unions had embarked on indefinite industrial action over unpaid allowances and the non-implementation of federal wage agreements.
JAC-ODSTI said the decision to suspend the strike followed the governor’s financial intervention in the dispute, which had affected academic and administrative activities across the institutions.
“Following the financial intervention of our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa in the crises that led to an indefinite strike on 2nd September, 2026 by the Joint Action Committee of the Ondo State Owned Tertiary Institutions (JAC-ODSTI) comprising of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa and University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, we wish to inform the general public that the indefinite strike is hereby suspended with effect from Tuesday, 29th September, 2026,” the statement said.
The committee expressed appreciation to Aiyedatiwa, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Amos Ajibefun, and the governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties and Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, for their roles in resolving the dispute.
It also acknowledged the contributions of members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the general public.
However, the unions warned that outstanding issues relating to the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions must be addressed to prevent another industrial dispute.
JAC-ODSTI appealed to the management of the affected universities to take immediate action on the non-financial aspects of the agreements.
The committee 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.”
It subsequently directed members across the three institutions to return to work on Tuesday, September 29.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University branch, Boluwaji Oshodi, confirmed the suspension of the strike.
“Yes, the strike has been suspended,” Oshodi said on Monday.
Members of SSANU, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have also been directed to resume work following the announcement.
The suspension is expected to pave the way for the resumption of activities at the affected universities, although the unions have indicated that the implementation of outstanding agreements remains a key issue requiring attention from the institutions’ management.
