Ibadan, Nigeria –
Academic and non-academic workers at the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, have embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the persistent delay in salary payments and what they describe as the state government’s failure to address their long-standing welfare issues.
The strike, which officially commenced on Wednesday, has brought academic and administrative activities to a complete halt on the campus, leaving thousands of students stranded and uncertain about their academic future.
Speaking under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Staff Unions, the workers decried months of salary arrears and poor working conditions. The group, which comprises members of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN), and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), said their patience had run out after several unfulfilled promises from the state government.
Chairman of COEASU in the institution, Mr. Adewale Oladipo, said the strike was a last resort after years of appeals, letters, and peaceful protests yielded no concrete results.
>For over eight months, we have been subjected to irregular and delayed salaries. Many of our colleagues can no longer meet basic needs. We are not slaves — we deserve dignity and timely remuneration for our work,” Oladipo stated during a press briefing.
The sudden strike has disrupted ongoing lectures and examinations, with many students expressing frustration and disappointment over the recurring instability in the college’s academic calendar.
“We are always the ones to suffer,” said Ruth Adebayo, a 200-level student in the Department of Early Childhood Education. “We have lost count of how many times strikes have delayed our graduation. The government needs to do better.”
As at the time of reporting, the Oyo State Ministry of Education had not issued an official statement in response to the strike. However, a senior official in the ministry who spoke anonymously said efforts were underway to resolve the issues raised by the workers.
“We acknowledge the concerns of the staff and are in dialogue with the college management to find a sustainable solution. The financial pressures on the state are significant, but we are committed to fulfilling our obligations,” the official said.
The strike adds to the growing list of industrial actions facing the Oyo State government, putting pressure on Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to address the grievances of workers in the education sector. Labour unions across the state have warned that continued neglect of staff welfare could trigger wider protests.
Comrade Omolara Adegbite, a representative of the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), urged the government to act swiftly.
>The plight of workers in Lanlate College is a reflection of the wider rot in our education sector. We urge Governor Makinde to intervene personally and prevent the total collapse of academic activities.”
As the strike stretches into its first week, the atmosphere at the Oyo State College of Education remains tense. Lecturers have vowed not to return to the classrooms until their demands are met, while students continue to wait in limbo.
Unless urgent steps are taken, what began as a protest over unpaid salaries may soon escalate into a broader crisis threatening the stability of tertiary education in the state.
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