In a significant development for academic activities in Ondo State, the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko has officially called off its four-month-long industrial action.
Strike Suspension After Lengthy Negotiations
The lecturers, who began their indefinite strike in August 2025, decided to suspend the industrial action following successful negotiations with the university management. The decision was confirmed by the Chairman of ASUU AAUA chapter, Bolawaji Oshodi, who emphasized that the resolution came after reaching a mutual understanding with the institution's administration.
The strike was primarily triggered by the non-payment of salaries and various arrears, with the union previously citing neglect by the administration of Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Throughout the industrial action, the academic staff maintained that their demands centered around proper funding of the university and settlement of outstanding financial obligations.
Outstanding Issues and Union Compromise
Despite suspending the strike, Chairman Oshodi acknowledged that the lecturers are still being owed one month's salary. However, he explained that the union decided to return to work based on their commitment to the education system and concern for students' academic progress.
"For now, we have suspended the strike. Everything is based on the agreement we had with the university's management," Oshodi stated. "Management has been very supportive, too, and we understand. We are still being owed one month's salary, but based on our love for the system and our students, we have resolved to suspend the strike."
Background of the Industrial Action
The industrial dispute had been escalating for several months before reaching the point of a total strike. The union had previously issued a formal letter signed by both Chairman Bolawaji Oshodi and the union's Secretary, Olusegun Taiwo, notifying the university of their decision to withdraw services over unpaid salaries and arrears.
According to Oshodi, the lecturers resorted to a "total strike" to emphasize their demands, highlighting that the core issue remained inadequate funding from the state government. "But to be sincere, the major problem we are facing is funding. The state government is not funding the university," he revealed during the strike period.
The union had documented that staff were owed two months' salaries for July and August, in addition to several other arrears including promotion arrears and essence workload payments that collectively amounted to billions of naira. The resolution of these outstanding financial matters formed the central focus of negotiations between the union and university management.
The suspension of the strike, effective from November 25, 2025, signals the resumption of normal academic activities at the institution, bringing relief to students who had faced disruptions to their academic calendar due to the prolonged industrial action.
