By ADEREMI BAMGBOSE

The Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-Owned Tertiary Institution’s (JAC-ODSTI) has appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to implement the 2025 and 2026 budgetary allocations to tertiary institutions for optimal performance.

The JAC-ODSTI made this appeal in a communique jointly signed by Mr Tayo Ogungbeni and Mr Kunle Akinwonmi, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, after the first quarter congress on Friday at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the unions are: Senior Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

NAN also reports that the Ondo State owned tertiary institutions are: OAUSTECH, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo and Rufus GIwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo.

The Congress said it considered critical issues affecting staff welfare and the sustainability of tertiary education in the state.

It noted that several unresolved issues were negatively affecting staff welfare and effective functioning of tertiary institutions in the state, in view of the contemporary global standards.

The Congress, however, commended Aiyedatiwa for the payment of the last tranche of the Wage Award and the release of the outstanding January 2017 subventions to state-owned institution’s, saying that the efforts were positive steps toward addressing the long-standing financial challenges in the sector.

“We demand the full implementation of the 2026 approved budget to all state-owned tertiary institutions to enable them to meet their financial obligations to both staff and students.

“Congress recall that the governor’s earlier acknowledgment over the 2025 budgetary allocations were not fully implemented and urged immediate corrective action to avert further institutional decline.

“Congress call on the state government to urgently release the three months staff salary arrears to the staff of RUGIPO, earlier pronounced during the 2025 Convocation ceremony of institution.

“Congress also demands the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for staff of RUGIPO, as against the current N18,000 being paid.

“Congress also expressed deep concern over the continued delay in the release of the report of the staff verification and audit exercise conducted across the various tertiary institutions in 2025, we urge the state government to make the report public without further delay.” The communique read.

It also noted that the eight years tenure of current Governing Councils of the state-owned institutions would expire in March and called for the urgent constitution of the councils.

“We warn that failure to re-constitute the new Governing Councils within the stipulated time may compel us to withdraw recognition for all the affected councils.

“The Congress reaffirm its commitment in the interest of staff welfare, institutional stability, and the advancement of tertiary education in the state,” the communique stated.

It, however, congratulated the government and people of the state on the success of the recently concluded Golden Jubilee celebration. (NAN)