OWO, Nigeria – The lecturers at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, began a strike on Friday, June 9, 2023, over non-payment of their 13 months’ salary arrears.
The academic staff, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, announced they would not participate in the first-semester examination of the institution, scheduled to start on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
The lecturers’ decision was outlined in a communique signed by the union’s Chairman, Arikawe Ade, and Secretary, Fapetu Damilola.
They revealed that their strike action is aimed at compelling the institution to pay the outstanding 13 months’ salary.
The communique read in part: “After much emphasis and extensive deliberation, the Congress unanimously agreed to withdraw the services of members from participating in the scheduled First Semester Examination Exercise which is proposed to commence on 13th June, 2023, until the condition below is met.”
ASUP noted the hardship posed by the current fuel price surge and how it affected members’ ability to carry out their official duties.
They demanded the full payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to the staff of the institution.
The lecturers added, “The Congress wish to strongly emphasise that the decision above is binding on all the financial members of the union, ASUP.”
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic or the Ondo State government.
