The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo Branch, has suspended its week-long strike,
The decision followed Governor Seyi Makinde’s appeal for two to three weeks to address the issues that prompted the industrial action, including outstanding salary arrears, inadequate university funding and other welfare concerns affecting members of the union in the university.
At its congress meeting on Monday, November 9, ASUU members accepted the appeal.
Consequently, they resolved to suspend the ongoing strike in good faith, particularly in consideration of students, the university and Oyo State.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the branch chairman, Dr Michael Bamidele Ojo, said the governor had promised to intervene in two major areas: implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and an increase in the subvention allocated to the university.
However, the union made it clear that the decision to suspend the strike was an opportunity for the governor to resolve the outstanding issues, not a withdrawal of its demands.
ASUU said its members could no longer endure the financial difficulties and deteriorating conditions of service resulting from the failure to implement the agreement.
Among its major grievances is the non-payment of salary arrears accruing from January 2026, which the union attributed to the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
It also identified inadequate government subvention as a major challenge, explaining that the situation had made it difficult for the university administration to meet its financial obligations to staff.
Other concerns include poor conditions of service, the erosion of academic staff welfare, unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and other outstanding entitlements as stated in the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
The union further lamented inadequate funding of the institution, saying it had affected teaching, research, the provision of essential working tools and infrastructure.
According to ASUU, the prolonged delay in addressing these issues has also exposed members and their families to severe economic hardship.
“These challenges have pushed our members to the wall. It is on the basis of these sufferings that Congress embarked on the strike action in the first place,” Ojo stated.
Beyond suspending the strike, the congress also resolved that salary arrears owed to members from January 2026 must not be paid in instalments.
It insisted that once the university’s subvention is increased, the administration must settle the outstanding arrears in one payment.
The union also warned that failure by Governor Makinde to fulfil his commitment within the agreed two-to-three-week period would leave it with no option but to resume the suspended strike.
While urging members to remain united, calm and resolute during the period, ASUU expressed confidence that the governor would honour his promise.
It consequently directed members to resume academic activities immediately.
The union commended its members for their sacrifices and steadfastness throughout the industrial action and appreciated Makinde for his intervention.
It urged the governor to use the window granted by the congress to resolve the issues permanently and guarantee lasting industrial peace and stability at the institution.
“We remain hopeful that the Governor, being a man of his word, will fulfil his promise,” the statement added
