ASUU strike halts exams at Adekunle Ajasin University

An ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has stopped the second-semester examinations. These exams were set to start on Monday.

The AAUA branch of ASUU began the strike on 10 July because the Ondo State government has not paid lecturers' salaries for May and June.

The union's decision came after a meeting where they confirmed earlier agreements from 28 April and 18 June to stop academic work until all unpaid salaries are settled.

Students received the strike notice through the Students’ Union's official WhatsApp group on 10 July, just when many were preparing for their exams.

The statement said the union has stopped all lectures, practicals, and other academic activities due to the unpaid salaries.

"According to the resolution reached at the ASUU-AAUA Congress held on Friday, 10 July, 2026, the Union reaffirmed its earlier decisions of 28 April and 18 June, 2026, to withdraw academic services over the non-payment of May and June 2026 salaries," the statement reads.

"Consequently, the strike action is total, comprehensive, and indefinite, taking effect from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, 10 July, 2026, and shall remain in force until all outstanding salaries are fully paid by the appropriate authorities."

This strike has put a halt to all academic activities. Students are now unsure when they will reschedule their exams.

While some students said they liked the unexpected break, final-year students said the strike disrupted their plans to graduate.

Adesuyi Segun, a 300-level Political Science Education student, told Campus Reporter that he hoped the government would quickly resolve the issue.

"I don’t feel too bad about it because I know the strike will eventually end and we will write our examinations. What I want is for the government to take responsibility and pay the lecturers so we can return to school," he said.

"I will feel bad if it continues because I have just one more year left before graduation. I hope it doesn’t last beyond one or two months."

Similarly, Morenike Olukoju, a 400-level Adult Education student, called the strike a big setback.

"I feel very bad. I had expected to graduate next month, but now those expectations have been disrupted," she said.

She added that while students are suffering because of the dispute, there is not much they can do if the government does not meet the lecturers’ demands.

The union has also said that settling the salary issue may not be enough to bring long-term peace.

ASUU-AAUA Chairperson, Boluwaji Oshodi, said the union will only stop the strike after members receive their unpaid salaries. He mentioned that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved funds for the university to pay the arrears.

Mr Oshodi said lecturers are owed salaries for May, June, and July and emphasized that the union will depend on payment alerts, not government promises, before ending the strike.

"The information reaching us is that the governor has released some money to the university management to offset the salaries. But as of today, 27 July, lecturers are already being owed three months’ salaries: May, June and July," he said.

The ASUU Chairperson also warned that the branch has completed steps for another strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and is waiting for approval from the national body.

According to him, this planned strike could involve all three state-owned universities in Ondo, including AAUA, the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED).

He mentioned that the branch has completed all necessary procedures to start another strike.

"Even if this particular strike is suspended, there is a pending strike that can commence at any time if the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement is not implemented in our university," he said.

"We have concluded the process because the zone and national ASUU delegation have visited our branch, and we are waiting for their approval. That approval can come at any time."