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The workers of polytechnics and colleges of education in Oyo State have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike from February 6, 2025, due to the continued delay in implementing the approved minimum wage for the institutions by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

According to the Chairman, Joint Action Committee, Dr. Kola Lawal, the delay in implementing the policy is an apparent neglect of the workers’ welfare and an outright failure to uphold the state government’s good intentions. Lawal stated that despite the state government’s increased subsidy to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the institutions’ management has failed to implement the payment of the new minimum wage as expected.

Lawal described the development as unacceptable, mainly because other institutions, such as LAUTECH and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, have implemented the new minimum wage for January 2025. “Unfortunately, workers in polytechnics and colleges of education in Oyo State have not received the same treatment, even though the funds meant for this purpose have been made available,” Lawal said.

The statement released by the Joint Action Committee reads, “The workers of polytechnics and colleges of education in Oyo State wish to bring to the public’s attention the continued delay in the implementation of the approved minimum wage for our institutions… We demand the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage for January 2025, as approved by the Governor, and insist that salaries from February 2025 onward reflect the new wage structure without further delay.”

Lawal emphasized, “This failure has further worsened workers’ financial hardships, especially in the face of rising inflation and economic challenges. We view this development as a clan apparently neglecting our welfare and an outright failure to uphold the good intentions of the state government, which had taken proactive steps to ensure that workers are adequately remunerated.”

He added, “It is unacceptable that while other institutions enjoy the new minimum wage, workers in our polytechnics and colleges of education are left behind despite being equally deserving. The delay in implementing this policy has placed undue financial strain on workers expected to deliver quality education under increasingly difficult conditions.

Lawal warned, “We wish to state categorically that should the balance of the minimum wage table not be paid by Wednesday, February 5, 2025, workers across polytechnics and colleges of education in Oyo State will withdraw their services indefinitely starting from Thursday, February 6, 2025. This industrial action will be total and comprehensive until the issue is resolved.”

He appealed, “We hope those responsible for implementing the Governor’s directive will act swiftly to prevent disruptions in academic activities and ensure that workers receive their rightful wages. We remain committed to our duties but will not continue to watch in silence as our rights and entitlements are ignored.”

Lawal concluded, “We call on all relevant authorities, stakeholders, and well-meaning individuals to intervene and ensure that this issue is resolved immediately in the interest of industrial harmony, the welfare of workers, and the progress of education in Oyo State.

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