ASUU threatens indefinite strike in Edo, Delta, Ondo Universities

By Jethro Ibileke

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike across state-owned universities in Edo, Delta and Ondo states over the failure of the affected state governments to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement.

The union warned that the industrial action would commence at the end of July 2026 if the governments failed to implement the agreement, particularly the payment of the Consolidated Academic and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CATA) component and other agreed allowances.

The affected institutions are Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State; Delta State University, Abraka; University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro, all in Delta State.

Addressing journalists in Benin City on Monday, the Coordinator of ASUU Benin Zone, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the patience of union members had been exhausted after waiting six months for the implementation of the agreement.

According to him, while federal universities within the zone have fully implemented the agreement, including the payment of arrears, none of the affected state-owned universities has complied.

“The Benin Zone views with grave concern the continued refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Delta State University, Abraka; University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro,” Igbafen said.

He accused the governments of Edo, Ondo and Delta states of trivialising and disregarding the agreement despite repeated appeals by the union.

“The patience of our Congresses in these universities has been exhausted. For six months, our members have awaited concrete steps toward the implementation of the Agreement. In return, they have been met only with trivialization and disregard.

“We therefore inform you that our Congresses in the affected State universities have commenced full mobilization for a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, in response to the persistent failure of the Governments of Edo, Ondo, and Delta States to honour the Agreement,” he said.

Igbafen insisted that the salaries of affected lecturers for July 2026 must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances contained in the agreement.

“We demand, unequivocally, that the next salary of our members in these universities in the month of July must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances stipulated in the Agreement.

“All accrued arrears from January 2026 must be paid in full, without delay.

“We state, with all sense of responsibility, that any failure or further prevarication by the three State Governments will inevitably provoke a total, comprehensive, and indefinite industrial action,” he warned.

The ASUU coordinator noted that all federal universities and no fewer than 10 state universities nationwide have already implemented the agreement and paid the outstanding arrears, making the continued delay by the affected state governments unacceptable.

He described the failure of the governors, who also serve as visitors to the universities, as “provocative and unjust.”

“Our members in these institutions are being shortchanged by the Governors and Visitors of Edo, Ondo, and Delta States, who have failed to provide the financial backing required for implementation,” he added.

While reaffirming ASUU’s commitment to industrial harmony in Nigerian universities, Igbafen maintained that lasting peace could only be achieved through justice and respect for agreements freely entered into.

“The union remains committed to industrial peace in our universities. However, peace without justice is a mirage. The only path to lasting harmony is the immediate and full implementation of the Agreement,” he said.

He called on the governors of Edo, Ondo and Delta states to act without further delay to avert a shutdown of academic activities in the affected institutions.