By Fidelis David, Akure
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Rufus Giwa Polytechnic chapter, has appealed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to approve a full budgetary allocation that will enable the institution to implement the new national minimum wage and clear outstanding salary adjustments.
The union made the call in a formal letter dated February 11, 2026, addressed to the governor, in which it commended his administration for increasing the institution’s annual budget but warned that the current allocation remains grossly inadequate to meet salary obligations.
The letter was jointly signed by the Chairman of ASUP, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic chapter, Comrade Arikawe Ade, and the General Secretary, Comrade Fapetu Damilola V., with copies sent to the Department of State Services and the Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The letter reads: “We sincerely appreciate Your Excellency’s magnanimity in increasing the Polytechnic’s annual budget, particularly as a deliberate effort to address persistent salary challenges. However, the current minimum wage budget approved for the institution cannot, in any way, adequately cover the total salary obligations of the Polytechnic.”
ASUP noted that although the Polytechnic received an annual budget of N4.5 billion with a monthly subvention of N375 million, the allocation could not sustain workers’ wages due to accumulated salary reviews that had not been implemented over the years.
Besides, in a call to the ASUP Chairman, he explained that the the institution have been excluded from key national salary adjustments enjoyed by their counterparts in other state-owned tertiary institutions, stressing that the institution is still on N18,000 minimum wage.
Arikawe said the institution is tilting towards returning to percentage salary, saying it could lead to catastrophy in the institution.
“Specifically, our members have not benefited from the increment of the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000. The 25 per cent and 35 per cent consequential salary increments approved in 2023 were also not implemented in our institution, unlike in other state-owned institutions where both the increment and its arrears are currently being enjoyed.”
Arikawe further lamented the non-implementation of the newly approved N70,000 national minimum wage.
“The recently approved national minimum wage of N70,000 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now over fifteen months old and yet to be fully implemented in Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. It is ridiculous to hear that we still receive ₦18,000 Minimum wage approved since 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan"
The ASUP chairman explained that the situation was worsened by the institution’s pension burden as the oldest tertiary institution in Ondo State.
“As the oldest tertiary institution in the state, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic bears the additional responsibility of pension payments to retirees. These pensions are paid from the same monthly subvention and currently account for about 43 per cent of the allocation, thereby constituting a major financial burden on the institution", he stated.
While acknowledging Governor Aiyedatiwa’s past support for the institution, the ASUP Chairman described the Polytechnic as “dear to the governor’s heart” and praised his commitment to workers’ welfare.
“Our institution is evidently dear to Your Excellency, as shown in the various forms of support and goodwill extended to the Polytechnic and your demonstrated commitment to the welfare of its workforce".
He therefore appealed for urgent intervention to prevent further hardship among staff.
“In view of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to Your Excellency to use your good office to intervene and assist the hardworking staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, who have endured prolonged hardship, to fully enjoy the implementation of the new national minimum wage and other outstanding salary adjustments".
Arikawe also reaffirmed the union's loyalty to the state government and pledged continued cooperation.
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