Ondo Poly Workers Storm Streets Over Wage Snub

Blessing Bello, Reporting

STAFF of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic on Monday took to the streets in protest over the alleged refusal of the Ondo State Government to implement the new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.

The protest, organised by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) and backed by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), was staged at the institution’s main gate in Owo.

Addressing journalists, SSANIP Chairman of the institution, Comrade Saka Olokungboye Nurudeen, decried what he described as years of neglect by successive Ondo State administrations.

“The staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo have been reduced to second-class citizens in Ondo State. While other workers in the state enjoy the new minimum wage, our members remain on N18,000 — a wage that has been obsolete since 2019,” he said.

Nurudeen explained that after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new national minimum wage into law in 2024, Ondo State commenced payment in October of the same year but allegedly excluded workers of the polytechnic.

“For over 15 months, other workers in Ondo State have been receiving the new wage, but staff of this institution were deliberately left out.

Several appeals by campus unions have yielded no result. This is unjust and unacceptable,” he added.

Describing the N18,000 minimum wage as “grossly inadequate” amid rising inflation and economic hardship, the union leader said many staff members could barely support their families.

“Our members can hardly feed their families. Many have become objects of ridicule in their communities.

Landlords now regard them as financially unstable. This is an embarrassment for workers serving in a higher institution,” he lamented.

Also speaking, ASUP Chairman of the institution, Comrade Arikawe Ade, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene.

“We appeal to the Governor to rise to the occasion and correct this injustice. The minimum wage is not a privilege; it is a legal obligation. Our members deserve the same treatment as other workers in the state,” Ade said.

The unions accused the state government of making what they termed “endless empty promises” while workers continue to endure hardship.

“Ondo State belongs to all of us. We cannot continue to watch our members denied their legitimate entitlements while others in the same state enjoy theirs,” the SSANIP chairman declared.

The protesters maintained that the demonstration would remain peaceful but resolute until their demands are met by the institution’s management and the state government.

In a joint statement, the institution’s SSANIP Executive Committee said the protest was aimed at compelling the authorities to immediately implement the new national minimum wage for staff of the polytechnic.