Ondo State Government has commenced the implementation of a 60 per cent increase in subventions to its four state-owned tertiary institutions with the payment of the August arrears balance.
The development is expected to strengthen the financial capacity of the institutions, particularly in meeting salary obligations and improving staff welfare.
Announcing the development in a statement on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the payment represents the beginning of the implementation of the new subvention structure approved by the state government.
According to the statement, the increased subventions are designed to enhance the operations of the institutions while addressing workers’ welfare through improved funding.
Following the payment, Governor Aiyedatiwa appealed to the unions currently on strike across the affected institutions to suspend the industrial action and return to work.
The governor stressed that ending the strike would be in the best interest of students and the continued progress of the state’s education sector.
He urged the unions to embrace dialogue and reciprocate the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of workers.
The statement read: “The Ondo State Government today effected the payment of the August arrears balance of the new subventions to the four state-owned tertiary institutions in Ondo State.
“This payment marks the commencement of the implementation of the 60% increment on subventions to the institutions, aimed at meeting up with salary obligations and improving welfare.
“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa therefore appeals to the striking unions of the institutions to, in good faith, call off the strike and return to work in the interest of our students and the overall development of the state.”
The state government expressed optimism that the implementation of the increased subventions would foster industrial harmony and create a more stable academic environment across the four institutions.