The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a 60 per cent increase in the monthly subvention to all state-owned tertiary institutions in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday.

According to the statement, the gesture was part of the Aiyedatiwa administration’s commitment to education and the welfare of workers.

The statement read, “Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved an immediate 60 per cent increment in the monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions in the state.

“This decision is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the institutions to meet their obligations, ensure prompt payment of salaries, and improve the overall learning environment for students and staff.

“The Governor has also approved the immediate implementation of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the unions of universities.

“This approval covers all relevant state-owned tertiary institutions and is designed to address long-standing welfare issues, boost staff morale, and align the institutions with national standards. Both approvals take immediate effect from this month.”

Aiyedatiwa called on the management of the affected institutions to ensure the judicious use of the increased subvention and prioritise staff welfare and academic excellence.

He also urged the unions to reciprocate the government’s goodwill by maintaining industrial harmony and focusing on delivering quality education to the state’s students.

“The Aiyedatiwa administration remains committed to making Ondo State a hub for quality tertiary education and will continue to take bold steps to support our institutions,” the statement concluded.

The increment comes amid the declaration of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko branch, over the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.

The institution’s Chairman of ASUU, Prof. Boluwaji Oshodi, had disclosed that the union had given sufficient consideration to the state government through several letters and requests for meetings, saying the union was met with inaction regarding the main agreement.

NAN reports that the industrial action came barely a week after the union suspended an earlier strike called over unpaid salary backlogs, following the receipt of outstanding payments.