Over 300 staff members employed at the Ondo State-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (Okopoly), Owo, have raised alarms over enduring salary arrears and the financial hardship they face, pleading with the Federal Government to intervene and facilitate the payment of their salaries.
The affected staff, who have been employed for up to two years, disclosed that despite their commitment and service, they have yet to receive any salary since their appointment. The situation has left many struggling to meet personal and family needs amid rising living costs in the country.
The aggrieved workers expressed their grievances during a peaceful protest on the polytechnic campus earlier in 2025. They displayed placards with inscriptions including “We are hungry, pay our salaries” and “Government, hear our plea; pay our salaries now.” Union leaders pointed out that the delay in payment and the failure to implement the national minimum wage have worsened their plight.
The workers’ union chairman, Comrade Julius Olugbenga-Aro, appealed to the Ondo State government and the Federal Government to urgently address the salary backlog, emphasizing that the prolonged non-payment threatens staff welfare and productivity.
This crisis is part of a broader challenge affecting polytechnic staff across Nigeria, with many institutions grappling with unpaid salary arrears, promotion arrears, and inadequate funding. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has issued ultimatums to the government, demanding the release of funds and full implementation of wage agreements to avoid nationwide strikes.
Ondo State’s Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has previously responded by approving the payment of three months’ outstanding salaries for Rufus Giwa Polytechnic staff, but ongoing arrears remain a concern for many employees.
The staff at Okopoly have urged the Federal Government to increase financial support to polytechnics and ensure timely payment of salaries to maintain the stability and quality of technical education in the country.
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