The Founder and Convener of the Obailukan Strategic Support Group for Atiku (OSSAT), Honourable Toyin Anibire Adams aka Obailukan, has condemned the continued shutdown of Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions and said the failure of government to end the strike since early September sends a wrong signal to the people of the state.
In a statement released on Tuesday through his Media Executive, Comrade James Onifade, Obailukan recalled that he had earlier addressed the same strike action in the early days of September 2026 and called on the state government to act fast to curtail it and restore academic activities. He expressed disappointment that weeks after that call, no tangible step has been taken to resolve the dispute.
He said the lingering crisis which has paralyzed academic work in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH), and University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) since SSANU, NASU and NAAT began indefinite strike on September 2, 2026 over non-implementation of Federal Government/Union agreements and unpaid allowances, shows lack of serious action.
According to him, while government claimed it approved 60 percent increase in monthly subventions and would implement the agreements from August 2026, the unions have said the increase did not reflect in August subvention and their allowances remain unpaid.
Obailukan also faulted the conflicting information from both sides, where government on September 22 announced an agreement with ASUU, SSANU, NAAT and NASU on new wage structure, while JAC-ODSTI denied any collective agreement.
“This confusion and inaction since early this month sends a wrong signal to the educational system of Ondo State. If by now government has not done anything tangible to end the strike, it will have an adverse effect on the life, wellbeing and future of our students,” he said.
He warned that students who know nothing about the dispute should not be punished for a misunderstanding between government and unions, stressing that every extra week means lost lecture time, distorted calendar, delayed exams and graduation, and extra burden on parents.
Obailukan therefore advised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to sit up and brace up, move beyond announcements, engage all unions transparently, publish details of any agreement with clear implementation date, and settle all outstanding demands including arrears from January 2026.
“The aim should not be victory for government or labour, but restoration of academic work and protection of Ondo students,” he added.
“Ondo students have suffered enough. Their education and future should not be traded for an unresolved disagreement they know nothing about,” Obailukan concluded.
Signed:
Comrade James Onifade
Media Executive,
Office of the Obailukan Strategic Support Group for Atiku (OSSAT)
