Rugipo: ASUP Insists on Indefinite Strike

By Our Correspondent

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO) Chapter, Owo, has resolved to continue its ongoing industrial action, insisting that the strike will remain indefinite until the Ondo State Government implements the approved new minimum wage and settles outstanding salary arrears owed to members of staff.

The decision was reached during an emergency congress of the union held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Adekunle Ajasin Auditorium of the institution.

The meeting was convened to review the union’s position following an appeal from the Senior Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the congress co-signed by its Chairman, Comrade Arikawe S. Ade and its General Secretary Comrade Fapetu Damilola and made available to Newsline NG, the union clarified that contrary to the impression created in the government’s appeal letter, the union was not on a mere protest but on an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues affecting its members.

According to the union, the industrial action was embarked upon as a last resort after prolonged engagements with relevant stakeholders and repeated assurances from both the state government and the management of the institution, which it said had yet to translate into tangible action.

ASUP noted that the non-implementation of the approved new minimum wage and the persistent accumulation of salary arrears had imposed severe financial hardship and psychological strain on members, many of whom had continued to render academic services to the institution despite the challenges.

The union recalled that the Ondo State Governor and Visitor to the institution, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, had publicly approved the immediate payment of the new minimum wage and salary arrears during the institution’s last convocation ceremony held on October 25, 2025, at the Polytechnic Sports Complex.

Congress, however, expressed disappointment that months after the public announcement, the commitments had not been fulfilled, describing the development as a deliberate neglect of staff welfare in the state’s only polytechnic and oldest tertiary institution.

The union further revealed that appeals in the past for patience and temporary suspension of industrial actions had yielded no meaningful results, which it attributed to what it described as insincerity and lack of commitment from the relevant authorities.

ASUP also disclosed that traditional intervention from the Olowo of Owo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who appealed to the union to suspend the strike for two weeks to allow further negotiations, was carefully considered during the congress.

However, the congress resolved that suspending the strike without concrete and verifiable financial commitments from the government would only prolong the suffering of members and weaken the union’s collective resolve.

Consequently, the union unanimously agreed that the ongoing industrial action would subsist until there is clear evidence of payment of the approved minimum wage and settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to staff.

While expressing appreciation to individuals and groups that had intervened and appealed to the government on behalf of the institution, ASUP noted that the gestures demonstrated concern over the worsening financial situation confronting the polytechnic workforce.

The union, however, assured the general public that the strike action was not intended to undermine the integrity of the institution or the state government but was aimed at ensuring justice and improved welfare for staff whose contributions remain vital to the survival and progress of the polytechnic.

ASUP therefore urged its members to remain steadfast in the struggle and comply with the directives of the congress while awaiting further developments.