Strike looms in Osun State-owned Polytechnics as ASUP issues Adeleke 15-day ultimatum
By Isa Isawade
Industrial action is looming in Osun State-owned Polytechnics as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in the state has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Adeleke government over the non-implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
The union threatened that failure by the state government to approve and commence payment of the allowances before November 17, 2026, would lead to the withdrawal of academic services in the affected institutions.
The ultimatum affects academic staff of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke; and Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa.
The chairmen of the three ASUP chapters disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference held at the ASUP Resource Centre, along Ada-Iree Road, Osun State.
Speaking on behalf of the union, the ASUP Chairman of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Comrade Sikiru Folorunso, said the ultimatum was backed by the union’s National Secretariat and was not the action of a few aggrieved individuals.
Folorunso explained that CATA and EAA were approved allowances negotiated between ASUP and the Federal Government as part of efforts to improve the working conditions of academic staff in polytechnics.
He said the allowances were designed to provide academic staff with the necessary tools and support for effective teaching, research and technical training.
He cited Ondo and Ekiti states as examples of neighbouring states that had implemented the allowances for their polytechnic workers. He said the Ondo State Government had paid the allowances for August, September and October 2026, with a commitment to settle outstanding payments from January to July in two batches before the end of the year.
According to him, the Federal Government has implemented the allowances for academic staff in federal polytechnics, including the payment of arrears dating back to January 2026.
“Letter to the Governor’s Office with a 15-day ultimatum. Most recently, the Union submitted a letter directly to the office of the Executive Governor, copied to all relevant authorities, giving a 15-day ultimatum for the approval and payment of CATA and EAA. The letter was submitted on October 27th, 2026.
“Despite all these efforts, the union has not had the opportunity to meet Mr. Governor one-on-one to present our case. We have written, we have waited, and we have been patient.
“This 15-day ultimatum is convened by our National body, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) National Secretariat, and it is being pursued through the Chapter Union. We stand here with the full authority, solidarity, and backing of our National body.
“The National body has also written to the Osun State Government on this matter, in a letter dated August 12th and August 27th respectively.
“We are not here to fight anyone. We are here to appeal. We appeal to Mr. Governor, a leader we believe to be a listening one, to approve the implementation of CATA & EAA for the Academic Staff of Osun State-owned Polytechnics, in line with the approved national framework and direct the relevant authorities to begin payment, including the applicable arrears from January, 2026,” the union said.