The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, has criticized the Ondo State Government over the prolonged strike in three state-owned universities, accusing the government of failing to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
The affected institutions are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
The union said academic staff in the three universities had been on strike for over 30 days, with no decisive intervention by the state government to resolve the dispute and restore academic activities.
The 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement was formally unveiled by the Federal Government on January 14, 2026, following years of negotiations aimed at replacing the 2009 agreement and promoting industrial harmony in the nation’s public universities.
In a statement by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Benin Zone, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, and made available to journalists in Benin City, the union accused the Ondo State Government of failing to show commitment to the welfare of university workers.
ASUU said the crisis was caused by “not only the Ondo State Government’s uncooperative attitude and seeming refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement but also its penchant for gross underfunding of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.”
The union expressed concern that students of the three institutions had remained at home as the strike persisted, saying the situation was unfair to both staff and students.
It noted that Edo and Delta state governments had
reportedly approved implementation of the 2025 agreement in their respective state universities from September 2026, including payment of arrears dating back to January 2026.ASUU therefore accused the Ondo State Government of foot-dragging and showing insensitivity to the welfare of university staff and students affected by the strike.
Meanwhile , ASUU, UNIBEN branch have, resolved to continue their indefinite strike action embarked on Wednesday following failure of management of the University of Benin to give proof of full payment of their August ASUU salary.
The Lecturers took the decision in a communique issued at the end of a Congress called to review the industrial action.
The communique reads:
“Congress was called to order at 10:50 am by the Branch Chairperson. The Chairperson briefed Congress on the latest development regarding the underpaid salary up to August 2026, stating that the University Administration has now paid a part.
“However, when he was quizzed on the clear details of what was paid, what was outstanding, and when it would be paid, he informed Congress that although he requested, the details were not provided by the University Bursar.
“Congress then deliberated on the matter and resolved as follows: Consequent upon the fact that salaries up to August 2026 have not been fully paid, and information on the specific details as regards what was paid, what was outstanding, and when it would be paid were not readily available, there was no need in the first instance to have called Congress for a meeting, and as a result, the withdrawal of service continues until the outstanding salaries are fully paid.” The statement said.
