By Kadelu Oluwole
Oyo State Tertiary Institutions Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Wage and Subvention Demands
Workers at The Polytechnic Ibadan and other tertiary institutions in Oyo State, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have launched an indefinite strike, days after the commencement of the first semester examinations.
The JAC, comprising around 15 staff unions, announced the strike to demand the implementation of the new minimum wage and increased subventions for the institutions.
The institutions affected by the strike include: The Polytechnic Ibadan, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic in Saki, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic in Eruwa, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology in Igboora, and Oyo State College of Education in Lanlate.
In a statement issued by the unions, they outlined their reasons for the strike:
“Indefinite Strike Declaration by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions”
The statement reads: “The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes 15 unions across the five state-owned tertiary institutions in Oyo State, hereby announces an indefinite strike starting Monday, March 10, 2025. This decision follows a series of consultations and deliberations among the unions after the management of the affected institutions failed to address the persistent issues related to the non-implementation of the approved 25/35% salary increase, which has been granted to workers in other institutions since January 2024, and the new minimum wage for workers in the polytechnic and college of education sectors.”
The affected institutions include:
- The Polytechnic Ibadan
- The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki
- Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa
- Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora
- Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate
Despite multiple meetings, notices, and consultations with the institutions’ heads, representatives of Platinum Consultants, and the Honourable Commissioner for Education, no significant progress has been made to resolve the issues. Even after the approval of the new minimum wage by Governor Seyi Makinde in January 2024 and a two-day warning strike on February 6 and 7, 2025, no meaningful action has been taken by the authorities.
The unions gave several ultimatums, extending a final three-day window for resolution to accommodate recent accreditation exercises at some institutions. Regrettably, no concrete action was taken. The failure to implement the approved wage structure—already adopted by federal institutions and other state-owned institutions such as Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education—has left workers in a difficult situation. The economic challenges in the country, coupled with the rising costs of attending academic conferences and publishing research papers for career advancement, have made it increasingly difficult for staff to meet their basic needs.
In response, the 15 unions under JAC, representing both teaching and non-teaching staff across the five institutions, have unanimously decided to continue the indefinite strike. Their demands include:
- Immediate implementation of the approved new minimum wage and the earlier approved 25/35% salary increase for workers in Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions.
- Increased subventions for these institutions to meet financial obligations, including payment of the approved wage structure.
This strike is a final measure after all efforts for dialogue and negotiation have been exhausted. The unions urge Governor Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, a known advocate for workers and education, to intervene and ensure the prioritization of workers’ welfare by the management of the institutions. Education is critical to societal development, and the well-being of those who contribute to it should not be neglected.
The unions also call on government officials, governing councils of the affected institutions, and the general public to apply pressure on the relevant authorities to resolve these issues promptly. The indefinite strike will continue until their demands are met and the welfare of their members is assured.
