The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), has told its members to stop teaching due to the Ondo State Government’s failure to clear unpaid salaries and allowances.

The directive was shared in a memo signed by the AAUA ASUU Chairperson, Dr. Boluwaji Oshodi, and Secretary, Dr. Olusegun Taiwo, which was released to journalists on Sunday.

The union explained that the decision followed a congress meeting on Thursday, August 21, where members agreed to put academic activities on hold until the government settles all outstanding payments.

The notice read: “Our members have been asked to withdraw their services from every academic duty in the university until all owed salaries and arrears are cleared.”

This development comes months after the Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned Tertiary Institutions (ODSTI), which includes ASUU-AAUA, went on a 14-day warning strike in June.

The strike was staged over poor welfare conditions and the government’s refusal to address staff demands.

At that time, the union listed several complaints, such as poor funding of schools, lack of implementation of the national minimum wage, unpaid arrears from previous salaries, delayed wage awards, pending retirement benefits, and six months of unpaid salaries at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.

Responding to the crisis, the Ondo State Government admitted there are financial challenges but assured that efforts are ongoing to fix the problems.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, revealed on Sunday that a committee had been set up to provide solutions.

He said the committee had already submitted its recommendations and that the governor had instructed the university to start paying part of the salary arrears. According to him, the issue will be resolved soon.

Ajanaku further explained that the government will include the committee’s suggestions in the upcoming state budget to improve funding for tertiary institutions across Ondo State.