Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife chapter, yesterday protested non-payment of their allowances.
They stormed the main gate of the institution around 10:15am and shut it, chanting anti-management songs.
The protesters later shut other gates leading to the school before barricading the staff quarters.
The action led to the disruption of academic activities for over two hours.
Speaking with our correspondent, NASU Chairman Comrade Wole Adewumi said OAU was the only institution that had not disbursed the fund released by the Federal Government to institutions in the Southwest.
He frowned at the position of the school in separating unions that would benefit from the fund, thereby creating division among sister unions.
Reacting to the protest, the university spokesman, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said the action of shutting school gates was unfortunate.
“It is unfortunate that the gates leading to the campus were closed. The fight should not be against the management of the school because what brought about the strike was the fund released by the Federal Government as an allowance to the three unions, which was disputed. But the management met with the three unions and advised them to reach an agreement. This is why the fight should not be against the administration of the school.
“However, some of the gates have been reopened. The leaders of the union are in Abuja meeting over the matter. It’s a family issue. I assure you that the matter will be resolved,” he said.