Staff members of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo State, have embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment of six months’ salary arrears and the state government’s failure to implement the national minimum wage.
The workers, under the umbrella of various staff unions, staged a peaceful protest on the institution’s campus on Tuesday, voicing their frustrations and demanding immediate government intervention.
During the demonstration, staff members carried placards bearing messages such as “We are hungry, pay our six months’ salaries,” “Mr Governor, please implement our 2025 budget,” and “Acting Rector, please clear our 2022, 2023 and 2024 promotion arrears.”
Union Chairman, Julius Olugbenga-Aro, in an address to the media and protesting staff, decried the harsh economic realities faced by the polytechnic workers due to the backlog of unpaid salaries. He appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene by authorising the immediate payment of outstanding wages.
“It is deeply troubling that in 2025, we are still being owed for six months. Our families are suffering, and morale among staff is at an all-time low. We are not only being owed salaries, but the national minimum wage is yet to be implemented for our members,” Olugbenga-Aro said.
The union leader further demanded that the government commence payment of the newly approved minimum wage and address the delay in promotion benefits spanning 2022 to 2024.
The strike has grounded academic and administrative activities at the polytechnic, with students and other stakeholders expressing concerns about the potential long-term impact on the institution’s academic calendar.
There has been no official response yet from the Ondo State Government or Governor Aiyedatiwa regarding the workers’ demands. However, expectations remain high that the government will initiate dialogue with the union to prevent further disruption in the institution.
