The Ondo State House of Assembly has appealed to striking staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo, to show understanding and prioritise peaceful resolution in the interest of the students.
The workers began an indefinite strike on Tuesday over the non-payment of six months’ salaries and the failure to implement the national minimum wage.
In response, the Assembly set up an Ad-hoc Committee last Thursday to investigate the root causes of the industrial action. On Monday, the committee met with the institution’s management in Akure to begin stakeholder engagements.
Chairman of the committee, Mr. Stephen Abitogun, reiterated that higher institutions are meant to be centres of learning, not unrest.
“As representatives of the people—many of whom have children in this institution—we cannot allow the situation to escalate,” he said. “We are committed to making appropriate recommendations to restore peace and stability.”
Abitogun outlined a three-stage engagement process involving meetings with the management, academic and non-academic staff, and students.
Speaking at the session, Acting Rector of RUGIPO, Mr. Adegun Olorunwa, confirmed the salary backlog and urged the workers to remain patient.
“No institution in Ondo State has received additional subvention to implement the minimum wage,” he explained.
According to Olorunwa, the financial situation was dire when he assumed office, with salaries being paid in percentages—some as low as five per cent.
“We often had to wait three months just to pay one month’s salary,” he said. “But from the day I took over, I declared that the era of percentage salary payments was over. And by God’s grace, that declaration has stood for the past 18 months.”
He noted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had already paid six out of twelve months’ salary arrears and had shown commitment to resolving the issues.
Olorunwa added that the institution had remained open despite the strike, with students still on campus.
“We are here to listen and collaborate. Our goal is to find a solution that guarantees peace, development, and academic continuity,” he said.
