Two universities in Ondo State, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa have officially joined the ongoing nationwide strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The decisions were confirmed to The Hope correspondents on Monday in compliance with the directive from the national body over unresolved issues bordering on improved welfare and revitalisation of universities.
Academic activities in both institutions were immediately suspended.
Meanwhile, the leadership of ASUU in the two universities maintained that the industrial action became inevitable due to the Federal Government’s alleged insensitivity to previous agreements.
The Chairman of ASUU, AAUA chapter, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi said academic activities at the institution have been completely grounded as lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared that the institution is currently experiencing “double strike.”
He said the institution had already embarked on a local strike before the national body declared its ongoing two-week warning strike.
Dr. Oshodi said the campus is on total lockdown, with only a few members of the union’s executive still around, while all academic activities have been suspended.
“Everywhere is on lockdown. We have declared the strike and virtually, I can say it is only myself and other EXCO members that are still here. Academic activities have been paralysed for now,” he stated.
According to him, “We were actually on a local strike before the national strike started. So, it is a case of double strike.”
Dr. Oshodi emphasised that the local action would continue even after the national strike is called off unless their demands at the branch level are met.
“Even if the national strike is resolved and our own demands are not met here in Akungba, we will still continue,” he said.
He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to fighting for better welfare and improved working conditions for lecturers.
Dr. Oluwatoyin Ogunbamike, the ASUU Chairman, OAUSTECH chapter said “Yes, we have joined the two-weeks nationwide strike declared by the national body of ASUU.
“We have to comply with the directives of the national ASUU, for the betterment of all members across the country,” Ogunbamike said.
He explained that although the strike would not have adverse effect on OAUSTECH’s students as they are still on vacation and yet to resume the 2025/2026 academic session
Recalls that Prof. Chris Piwuna, the national ASUU President, on Sunday announced a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across public universities in the country.
According to Piwuna, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on September 28.
“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, October 13.
“The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,” Piwuna said.
ASUU has been in loggerheads with the Federal Government over their welfare, N50 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), facelifts of public universities recognition of University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) against the Intergrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) among others.