The Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, (ASUU-UNIMEDO) has rejected the agreement reached between the Ondo State Government and its counterpart at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA). The union insists that its members remain on strike. According to ASUU-UNIMEDO chairman, Abraham Oladebeye, the chapter was not invited to the meeting where the government and ASUU-AAUA negotiated the terms for resolving the industrial dispute.
Oladebeye stated that the agreement could not bind ASUU-UNIMEDO because it was reached at a meeting the union did not attend and did not address the resolutions of its own congress. The union had returned a letter from the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, because its contents did not meet the terms of the resolutions reached by ASUU-UNIMEDO. This development has further complicated the ongoing industrial action in the state.
The ASUU-UNIMEDO chairman explained that there had earlier been a general meeting involving the unions, but it ended with verbal assurances and a request for the managements of the affected institutions to submit documents showing the financial implications of implementing the new agreements. However, ASUU-UNIMEDO and ASUU of other universities in the state were not invited to a separate meeting with the state government.
At the meeting, the government proposed to commence implementation from August and pay salary arrears from January to July in two instalments before January next year. Oladebeye maintained that his union could not accept the outcome of a meeting it did not attend, particularly after examining the contents of the government’s letter and finding that it did not address its resolutions.
The ASUU-UNIMEDO chairman also complained that the government had given AAUA special fund intervention, which was not extended to UNIMED. This has led to concerns about unequal treatment of state-owned universities. Meanwhile, the ASUU-AAUA chairman, Prof. Bolu Oshodi, said the state government had intervened financially in the dispute and that a congress had been scheduled to direct members to resume academic activities.
The development came as the Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions (JAC-ODSTI) announced the suspension of its indefinite industrial action, directing affected workers to resume duties on Tuesday, September 29. The suspension affects members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union and National Association of Academic Technologists in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
The unions, which commenced the strike on September 2 over unresolved issues arising from the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and universities, have agreed to resume work following government intervention. However, ASUU-UNIMEDO remains on strike, insisting that its demands be met. The situation remains uncertain, with students and parents eagerly awaiting a resolution to the ongoing industrial action.
Key points
- ASUU-UNIMEDO rejects agreement between Ondo State Government and AAUA.
- Union insists on strike, citing non-attendance at meeting and non-addressal of resolutions.
- JAC-ODSTI suspends industrial action, directs workers to resume duties.
