The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Labour Unions in Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the governing councils and managements of the affected institutions over unpaid allowances, outstanding salary arrears, inadequate funding and staff shortages.
The ultimatum, which commenced on October 8, 2026, is expected to expire on October 28, 2026.
In a press statement dated October 19, 2026, the committee said the ultimatum followed deliberations at its meeting held on October 7 at Michael Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki, where representatives of the unions reviewed workers’ welfare and operational challenges facing the institutions.
The statement, signed by the JAC Chairman, Dr Kola Lawal, and Secretary, Comrade Akeem Fatai, listed four major demands, including the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for academic staff and the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for non-teaching staff, in line with applicable agreements covering tertiary institutions from January 2026.
The unions also demanded payment of outstanding arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases covering January to December 2024.
According to the committee, while Oyo State implemented the salary increase in January 2025, the Federal Government and several other states had paid arrears dating back to January 2024.
The JAC further called for the full implementation of 100 per cent government subvention, explaining that inadequate funding had forced the institutions to supplement recurrent expenditure with internally generated revenue, thereby limiting their capacity to meet statutory obligations.
Another major demand is the urgent recruitment of academic, technical, administrative and support personnel to address manpower shortages, which the committee said had increased workloads and could undermine teaching quality, research, administration and regulatory compliance.
The committee recalled that some of the unresolved issues contributed to the industrial action embarked upon by workers in February 2025, which was later suspended in the interest of industrial harmony and continued dialogue with the government and relevant authorities.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful engagement, the JAC urged the governing councils, institutional managements and the Oyo State Government to address the demands meaningfully within the stipulated period.
It warned that failure to achieve a satisfactory resolution by October 28 would compel the committee and the affected unions to review the situation and consider further lawful industrial relations measures.
The committee said the demands were aimed at protecting workers’ welfare, promoting institutional stability and safeguarding the quality and sustainability of tertiary education in Oyo State.
