The Federal University Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, has been thrown into a fresh round of academic disruption as its branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, declared an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries.
The union’s decision was communicated on Thursday in a letter addressed to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olubunmi Shittu, and jointly signed by the FUOYE branch Chairman, O. A. Fagbuagun, and Financial Secretary, Ngwu Benitho.
The lecturers confirmed they had resolved to withdraw their services until their outstanding wages were settled.
According to the letter, the strike is anchored on the directive of the union’s National Executive Council, which earlier ruled that in any institution where academic staff salaries were not paid by the third day of the month, the affected branch should embark on an indefinite strike until the arrears were cleared.
“This is to notify the university administration that the National Executive Council of ASUU has directed that in any case where academic staff salary is not paid latest by the third day of every month, the affected branch of ASUU should proceed on strike until the salary is paid.
As a consequence of the above, ASUU-FUOYE Branch has proceeded on strike until our salary is paid. This strike is total, indefinite and comprehensive,” the FUOYE branch declared.
The decision has left FUOYE students uncertain about their academic progress. With lectures suspended indefinitely, many are concerned about the impact on examinations, project defense schedules, and graduation timelines.
Parents have also expressed frustration, noting that recurrent disruptions in Nigeria’s public universities increase financial strain, as prolonged study periods translate into higher accommodation and living costs for their wards.
ALSO READ: FG denies any agreement with ASUU on lecturers’ claims
The FUOYE action reflects a familiar pattern in Nigeria’s higher education system. Over the decades, ASUU has repeatedly engaged in strikes to press demands for improved funding, better working conditions, and fulfillment of government agreements.
One of the most disruptive episodes was the eight-month nationwide strike in 2022, which shut down public universities across the country.
That strike, sparked by disputes over unpaid allowances, salary structures, and the government’s failure to implement a renegotiated agreement, crippled the academic calendar and forced many students to lose an entire academic session.
For now, FUOYE lecturers remain adamant that they will not return to classrooms until their wages are paid, effectively leaving the fate of thousands of students hanging in the balance.
NAN
