SUNTV Global Channel | September 4, 2026
The Ondo State Government left about N4.73 billion of the funds allocated to two state-owned universities unspent as of June 2026, amid an ongoing industrial dispute that has kept students away from classrooms.
The affected institutions are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
According to the state’s budget performance figures, AAUA had a 2025 final allocation of N3.7 billion but recorded expenditure of about N2.68 billion, representing 72.4 per cent implementation. Approximately N1.02 billion remained unspent.
OAUSTECH, which received a final 2025 allocation of N1.56 billion, spent about N796 million, representing 51 per cent implementation. The university had approximately N764 million left unspent.
Combined, the two institutions had received N5.26 billion in their final 2025 budgets but spent approximately N3.47 billion, leaving about N1.79 billion unused.
The situation continued into 2026.
AAUA was allocated N4.5 billion for the year but had spent only about N1.34 billion between January and June, representing 29.8 per cent of its annual allocation.
OAUSTECH received an annual allocation of approximately N1.95 billion, but expenditure stood at only N378 million during the first six months of the year, representing 19.4 per cent implementation.
Together, the universities had a combined 2026 allocation of approximately N6.45 billion, while only about N1.72 billion had been spent by the end of June. This left approximately N4.73 billion, or 73.4 per cent of the allocation, unspent at the half-year point.
The figures come as students of the two universities continue to face disruption to their academic activities due to strike action involving staff unions.
The unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Joint Action Committee comprising SSANU, NASU and NAAT, have accused the state government of failing to honour agreements and address outstanding issues, including salary-related matters.
The dispute has also triggered student protests.
At Adekunle Ajasin University, students recently staged a demonstration, barricading major roads around the institution while demanding an immediate resolution to the strike and a return to academic activities.
Reports said Nigerian Army personnel were deployed to the area during the protest, with video footage showing soldiers confronting and dispersing some of the demonstrators.
Students carried placards demanding action from the state government, while also calling for the implementation of agreements reached with the striking unions and payment of outstanding salary arrears.
The AAUA Students’ Union General Secretary, Tolulope Adeyefa, condemned the reported deployment of military personnel against the protesters and urged the state government to address the grievances of the striking workers.
The continued strike and low budget implementation have raised concerns among students, parents and other stakeholders over the impact of the funding dispute on education in Ondo State.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor the situation and bring you updates as they develop.
