ASUU THREATENS INDEFINITE STRIKE IN SEVEN STATE UNIVERSITIES OVER DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF 2025 FG/ASUU AGREEMENT
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, has issued a strong warning to the governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo States, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike across seven state-owned universities if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not implemented in members' July 2026 salaries.
The union made this known during a press briefing held in Benin City, where it expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the affected state governments to implement the agreement despite several months of engagement.
Seven Universities Affected
According to ASUU, the proposed industrial action will affect the following institutions:
- Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma
- Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba-Akoko
- Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa
- Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka
- University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor
- Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba
- Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro
If the strike begins, academic activities in these universities could be brought to a complete halt.
Union Expresses Frustration
Speaking during the briefing, the ASUU Benin Zonal Coordinator, Professor Monday Igbafen, said the union had exhausted all peaceful avenues, including dialogue and negotiations with the affected state governments, without achieving any positive outcome.
He explained that while the Federal Government and several state governments have already implemented the 2025 agreement and paid the necessary arrears to their academic staff, the seven affected state-owned universities are yet to comply.
According to him, lecturers in the affected institutions have waited patiently for months, but the continued delay has become unacceptable.
What ASUU Is Demanding
The union is demanding that the affected state governments implement the provisions of the 2025 FG/ASUU Agreement beginning with the July 2026 salary payment.
Specifically, ASUU wants the implementation to include:
- Payment of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Allowances.
- Inclusion of all agreed salary adjustments.
- Payment of outstanding arrears dating back to January 2026.
The union maintained that lecturers deserve equal treatment with their counterparts in other universities where the agreement has already been implemented.
Indefinite Strike Looms
Professor Igbafen warned that failure by the governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo States to implement the agreement before the July salary payment would leave ASUU with no option but to declare a total and indefinite strike across the affected institutions.
He described the prolonged delay as unfair to academic staff who have continued to carry out their teaching, research, and community service responsibilities despite the unresolved issues.
Appeal to State Governments
ASUU appealed to the governors of the three affected states to urgently intervene and ensure the immediate implementation of the agreement in order to prevent another disruption of academic activities.
The union emphasized that resolving the issue promptly would protect students from unnecessary academic setbacks and demonstrate the governments' commitment to improving higher education in their respective states.
Final Note
With the July salary period approaching, attention is now focused on the governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo States as lecturers await the implementation of the agreement.
Should the demands remain unmet, thousands of students across the seven affected universities could face another prolonged interruption to their academic calendar as ASUU prepares for a possible indefinite industrial action.