Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the non-payment of their salaries and arrears.

The action, which commenced last Thursday, followed a Congress meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), after which the union formally notified the institution’s management of its decision.

The strike has since crippled academic and social activities on campus, leaving students expressing mixed concerns over the development.

In a letter signed by ASUU-AAUA Chairperson, Boluwaji Oshodi, and Secretary, Olusegun Taiwo, the lecturers stated that they would not return to work until all outstanding salaries and arrears were fully paid.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government has assured that it is already taking steps to engage the striking lecturers in order to resolve the crisis.

“We write on behalf of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko Branch, to notify you of the withdrawal of services to the University by members of our Union.

“This is in line with the resolution taken at the Congress of Thursday, August 21, 2025, over the non-payment of our salaries and arrears.

“Sir, by this memo, our members have been directed to withdraw their services from all academic activities in the University until all our outstanding salaries and arrears are paid,” a copy of the letter addressed to the school authority and obtained by the Nation read.

Confirming the letter, Comrade Oshodi told our reporter that the protesting lecturers have written a series of letters to both the university and state government to demand the payment of their salaries and arrears. 

He said the lecturers decided to embark on a ‘total strike’ action to press home for their demands, vowing that they are noting looking back until they get paid for their service in the state’s owned university. 

“We have written a series of letters to the management. We also wrote several letters to the state government. Before now, we have given a series of warnings, and we have done virtually everything possible to ensure our salaries and arrears are paid. 

“But to be sincere, the major problem we are facing is funding. The state government is not funding the university. As I speak now. We are being owed two months’ salaries (July and August).

“This is aside several arrears, promotion arrears, essence workload among others running into billions. The state government is not forthcoming. So, we have made up our minds until everything is addressed, we’re not going back,” he said. 

Efforts to get the university’s spokesman, Mr. Victor Akinpelumi, for comments were unsuccessful as calls to his line were not answered, while a text message sent to him was undelivered.

However, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun dismissed the claim that the government had abandoned the institution.

He explained that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration has continued to release monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA, without delay.

Ajibefun assured that steps were already being taken to engage the striking lecturers with a view to resolving the crisis.