Aiyedatiwa moves to end AAUA strike, approves ₦1.1bn to clear salary arrears
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the release of ₦1.1 billion as a special intervention fund to the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), in a decisive move to resolve the lingering industrial crisis at the institution.
The intervention comes in response to the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), AAUA chapter, over unpaid salary arrears and welfare concerns.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the fund is specifically targeted at offsetting outstanding salaries owed to staff of the university.
According to the statement, the governor’s action underscores his administration’s commitment to restoring academic stability and ensuring that students return to classrooms without further delay.
Aiyedatiwa, who described the prolonged industrial action as a major setback to academic progress, directed the Ministry of Finance and the management of the university to ensure the prompt release and transparent disbursement of the funds.
He further appealed to the striking unions to reciprocate the government’s gesture by suspending the strike and resuming academic activities in the interest of students and the overall development of the institution.
The governor emphasised that education remains a top priority of his administration, adding that deliberate efforts are being made to reposition tertiary institutions in the state for global competitiveness.
He maintained that a well-motivated workforce is essential to achieving excellence in the education sector, particularly in building a 21st-century university system that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its counterparts worldwide.
