…Governor approves FG-unions agreement, as students plan Akure demonstration
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved a 60 per cent increase in the monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions in the state and the immediate implementation of the Federal Government agreement with university-based unions.
The development comes on the heels of a planned protest by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ondo State chapter, which had announced plans to commence a statewide demonstration in Akure on Tuesday over the prolonged industrial action affecting the state-owned universities.
The governor’s latest intervention is expected to address some of the issues that triggered the industrial action and avert the planned students’ protest.
A statement issued on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the two approvals were part of the administration’s commitment to improving tertiary education and the welfare of workers in the state.
Under the new arrangement, the monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions will increase by 60 per cent with immediate effect.
The government said the measure was designed to strengthen the institutions’ capacity to meet their financial obligations, ensure prompt payment of salaries and improve the learning environment for students and staff.
The governor also approved the immediate implementation of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and university unions.
According to the statement, the implementation covers relevant state-owned tertiary institutions and is expected to address longstanding welfare concerns, improve staff morale and align the institutions with national standards.
Both approvals, the government said, take effect from August.
The development follows mounting pressure from students over the prolonged closure of classrooms across the state-owned universities.
NANS had earlier announced plans to mobilise students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) for a peaceful protest in Akure beginning Tuesday.
The students’ body had expressed frustration over the disruption of academic activities, urging the state government to urgently resolve the crisis and reopen the universities.
Reacting to the latest government intervention, the governor directed the managements of the affected institutions to ensure judicious utilisation of the increased subventions, with emphasis on staff welfare and academic excellence.
Aiyedatiwa also appealed to the unions to reciprocate the government’s gesture by maintaining industrial harmony and returning their focus to the delivery of quality education.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Ondo State a hub for quality tertiary education, saying the government would continue to take bold steps to strengthen its institutions.
With the approvals taking immediate effect, attention is now focused on the unions and student leadership as stakeholders await the possible suspension of the industrial action and cancellation of the planned NANS protest.
