The Joint Action Committee (JAC) which comprises of about 15 staff unions made this declaration as a means to press their demands to the state government.
The demands include the implementation of new minimum wages for workers, and the increase in subvention released for the institutions.
The five institutions affected are The Polytechnic, Ibadan, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, and Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate.
The release reads in part;
“Declaration of Indefinite Strike by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions.
“The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising 15 unions across the five state-owned tertiary institutions in Oyo State, hereby declares an indefinite strike action commencing on Monday, March 10, 2025. This decision was reached after extensive deliberations and consultations among the unions, following the inability of the management of the affected institutions to address the longstanding issues of non-implementation of the approved 25/35% salary increase being enjoyed by our colleagues in other institutions since January 2024 and the new minimum wage for workers in the Polytechnics and College of education sector.
“The affected institutions include:
1. The Polytechnic, Ibadan
2. The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki
3. Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa
4. Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora
5. Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate.
“Despite numerous efforts, meetings and notices, on the 25/35% salary increase since January 2024 and also including several meetings with the heads of institutions, representatives of Platinum Consultants, and the Honourable Commissioner for Education since the declaration in January 2024 of the approval of new minimum wage payment by His Excellency Gov. Seyi Makinde, coupled with declaration of industrial dispute on the new minimum wage, as well as a two-day warning strike on February 6 and 7, 2025, no meaningful progress has been made towards resolving the issues.
The unions gave several notices and ultimatums up till March 5th 2025 when the unions granted the final 3 days additional time for resolution, considering the recent accreditation exercises in some of the institutions, but regrettably, no concrete action has been taken by the authorities.
The inability to implement the approved wage structure, which has already been enjoyed by workers in federal institutions and some state-owned institutions like Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, has left our members in a dire situation. The economic realities in the country, coupled with the rising costs of attending conferences and publishing academic papers necessary for career progression and program accreditation, have made it increasingly difficult for workers to meet their basic needs.
The 15 unions under JAC, representing both teaching and non-teaching staff across the five institutions, have unanimously resolved to embark on an indefinite strike to demand the following:
Immediate implementation of the approved new minimum wage including the earlier approved 25/35% salary increase for workers in Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions.
An increase in the subvention released to the institutions to enable them to meet their financial obligations, including the payment of the approved wage structure.
This strike action is a last resort, taken after exhausting all avenues for dialogue and negotiation. We urge His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, lover of workers and education, to intervene and ensure that the welfare of workers in the state-owned tertiary institutions is prioritized by our respective management. Education is the bedrock of societal development, and the welfare of those who contribute to it must not be relegated to the background.
We call on all stakeholders, including the government, governing councils of the institutions, and the general public, to prevail on the necessary authorities to address these issues urgently. The indefinite strike will continue until our demands are met and the welfare of our members is guaranteed.”
Further check by Naija Metro News Publisher, Kehinde Ayanboade confirms that the main gate (south) and other gates of the institution have been locked as at the time we are filing this report.
END.
