ASUU Faults Ondo Over Unpaid Lecturers’ Allowances

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Ondo State Government of failing to implement the financial provisions of the 2025 Federal Government ASUU Agreement, raising fears of another industrial dispute in the state’s tertiary education sector

The union said lecturers in Ondo State owned universities have continued to work without receiving key allowances approved under the agreement despite its financial implementation taking effect from January 1, 2026 ASUU warned that if the situation persists, it may be forced to embark on lawful industrial actions

The development has sparked renewed concerns among students, parents and education stakeholders over the possibility of disruptions to academic activities in public universities across Ondo State

ASUU Accuses Ondo Government of Ignoring 2025 Agreement

Addressing journalists at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, the ASUU Akure Zone Coordinator, Adeola Egbedokun, alleged that the Ondo State Government has failed to honour the financial obligations contained in the 2025 Federal Government ASUU Agreement

According to him, the government has been fully informed about the agreement but has continued to delay its implementation, leaving lecturers without benefits that were negotiated to improve their welfare

The union maintained that the continued delay is affecting staff morale and creating uncertainty across the state’s higher education institutions

Lecturers Yet to Receive Approved Allowances

ASUU explained that the 2025 agreement, regarded as the first comprehensive deal since the landmark 2009 agreement, became financially effective on January 1, 2026

Allowances Yet to Be Paid

The union said lecturers are yet to receive several approved benefits, including:

• Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA)
• Earned Academic Allowance (EAA)
• Professorial Allowance

According to ASUU, six months after implementation officially commenced, none of the approved allowances has been paid, while outstanding arrears continue to accumulate

The union stressed that these benefits are essential for improving lecturers’ welfare, supporting research activities and promoting quality teaching in Nigerian universities

ASUU Rejects Further Delays, Demands Immediate Action

The union criticised the state’s decision to establish a committee to review an agreement that had already been negotiated and approved at the national level

ASUU argued that what is needed is immediate implementation rather than prolonged consultations that only delay payments

It also maintained that Ondo State, as one of Nigeria’s oil producing states benefiting from the 13 percent derivation fund, has the financial capacity to fulfil its obligations under the agreement

Union Warns of Impact on Universities

ASUU warned that the continued delay extends beyond lecturers’ welfare

According to the union, the failure to implement the agreement could negatively affect:

• Academic stability
• Research productivity
• Staff motivation
• University accreditation
• Quality of graduates
• Student learning experience

The union further noted that delayed welfare packages have contributed to brain drain, as experienced academics continue to seek better opportunities elsewhere

ASUU Lists Key Demands

To resolve the dispute, ASUU called on the Ondo State Government to:

• Immediately implement the 2025 FGN ASUU Agreement
• Pay the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA)
• Release the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA)
• Pay the Professorial Allowance
• Clear all outstanding arrears from January 1, 2026
• End bureaucratic delays and unnecessary committee reviews

The union warned that failure to act promptly could compel it to activate lawful trade union actions to press home its demands

Ondo Government Responds

Responding to ASUU’s allegations, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the government has already begun the process of implementing the agreement

He explained that although the agreement was signed between the Federal Government and ASUU, each state government is expected to domesticate and implement it independently

According to the commissioner, Ondo is not the only state yet to implement the agreement, adding that no state within the ASUU Akure Zone has fully complied with its provisions

He nevertheless assured lecturers that Ondo State has taken proactive steps and is working towards full implementation

What the Dispute Means for Students

The disagreement raises fresh concerns over the stability of academic activities in Ondo State owned tertiary institutions

If both parties fail to reach an agreement quickly, students could face another round of disruptions similar to previous ASUU industrial actions that have affected Nigeria’s university system over the years

Education stakeholders are therefore urging both the government and the union to prioritise dialogue and resolve the issues before they escalate into another prolonged crisis