Workers of Oyo tertiary institutions begin indefinite strike

Workers at five Oyo State government-owned tertiary institutions have begun an indefinite strike.

The workers, in a statement on Monday, noted that strike action became necessary due to non-payment of minimum wage and unresolved salary disputes.

The institutions involved are The Polytechnic, Ibadan; The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki; Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa; Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora; and Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate.

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The Joint Action Committee (JAC) stated that the decision to embark on strike came after extensive discussions among the unions.

It added that the strike was a necessary measure to urge the state government to fulfil its obligations.

It said, “Declaration of Indefinite Strike by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions

“The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising 15 unions across the five state-owned tertiary institutions in Oyo State, hereby declares an indefinite strike action commencing on Monday, March 10, 2025.

“This decision was reached after extensive deliberations and consultations among the unions, following the inability of the management of the affected institutions to address the longstanding issues of non-implementation of the approved 25/35% salary increase being enjoyed by our colleagues in other institutions since January 2024 and the new minimum wage for workers in the Polytechnic and College of education sector.”

Workers of Oyo tertiary institutions begin indefinite strike

Over two million candidates register for 2025 UTME, JAMB closes registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has closed registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A total of 2,030,627 candidates completed their registration, allowing them to participate in the UTME scheduled for April 25, 2025.

Recall that JAMB recently informed that the registration process, which began on February 3, 2025, would end on March 8, 2025, adding that unlike in the past, there would be no extension.

In its Monday weekly bulletin, JAMB revealed that with the closure of the UTME registration, preparations for the annual examination are now in full swing.

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This number excludes the candidates registered for examination at foreign centers.

Additionally, 200,115 candidates expressed interest in taking the optional mock UTME, which is set for April 5, 2025. Among these, 630 candidates have registered for the trial mock examination, which will also occur on the same date.

The bulletin read in part: “This year, the Board has implemented several innovative measures to deter cheating and maintain the integrity of the examination process.

“These measures have already led to multiple arrests of candidates attempting to use forged A-level results for admission, highlighting the effectiveness of the new system designed to detect such fraud.

“Candidates are strongly advised to adhere to the examination rules and regulations and refrain from any dishonest practices during the examination.“

Over two million candidates register for 2025 UTME, JAMB closes registration

Varsity workers protest non-payment of salary increment arrears

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has raised concerns over salary discrepancies and delayed third-party deductions affecting staff across various universities and inter-university centres nationwide.

SSANU President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, addressed the issue in a communiqué following the union’s 50th Regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja. He highlighted the distress caused by inconsistent payments.

According to Ibrahim, “The union recorded cases of salary shortfalls and inconsistencies in the payment of third-party deductions of various universities and inter-university centres.”

He revealed that the situation worsened after some universities migrated to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform. “Further inquiries unearth that, on migration to the GIFMIS platform, some universities have started shortchanging their staff by paying incomplete salaries,” he stated.

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Ibrahim also criticized the withholding of third-party deductions, describing it as a “flagrant disobedience of financial regulation.”

The NEC called on the government to reintroduce the N50 billion previously allocated for Earned Allowance in the 2025 budget and to settle all outstanding allowances.

“NEC further frowns at the non-payment of the arrears of our 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment for federal universities, inter-universities centres and some state universities,” Ibrahim said. He urged the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, to expedite the payment of the outstanding two months’ salaries and withheld third-party deductions.

Ibrahim also condemned ongoing reports of sexual harassment within universities, pledging that SSANU would closely monitor such cases. “Anything short of justice for the sexually harassed members of the union would be unacceptable,” he emphasized.

The NEC further urged state governments to clear arrears from the last minimum wage review and align state university salaries with those of federal institutions to ensure wage parity.

Varsity workers protest non-payment of salary increment arrears