Barring any last-minute change of mind, lecturers at Ondo state-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (RUGIPO) would embark on an “indefinite strike” over the state government’s refusal to pay their outstanding salaries. 

Under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), the lecturers accused Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s government of owing them since August 2022. 

In a communique issued on Thursday, shortly after their congress, in Owo, the aggrieved lecturers threatened to go on strike by Tuesday. The statement was jointly signed by ASUP chairman Arikawe Ade and its secretary, Damilola Fapetu. 

“Congress unanimously agreed to withdraw the services of members from participating in the scheduled first semester examination exercise, which is proposed to commence on 13th June 20,” stated the union.

The lecturers are demanding full payment of “all outstanding salary arrears owed the staff of the institution, declaring that the decision “is binding on all the financial members of the union (ASUP).”

“The salary for December 2016 and January 2017 was owed by the past government of Olusegun Mimiko, and the one for August 2022 to date was being owed by the current government of Roitmi Akeredolu,” Mr Arikawe told Peoples Gazette, revealing that “we have gone on several dialogues. So, the struggle has been on for a very long time.” 

“We can’t continue to wait endlessly,” he lamented. “It’s painful, and the most annoying is that the issue of fuel subsidy removal has worsened our situation. It’s taking its toll on us. You can imagine buying fuel for N500 per litre, and you still want us to resume classes in empty stomachs.”