The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that lecturers in seven state-owned universities across Edo, Delta and Ondo States may embark on an indefinite strike if the 2025 federal government/ASUU agreement is not reflected in their July salaries.
Key Highlights:
The union issued the warning on Monday, saying it had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the governments of the three states without achieving the desired outcome.
The institutions affected are 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.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Benin Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, expressed disappointment over what he described as the refusal of the affected state governments to implement the agreement, despite similar compliance by the federal government and several other state-owned universities.
According to him, all federal universities, along with 10 state universities across the country, have already implemented the agreement and settled the associated arrears.
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He stated that lecturers in the affected institutions expect the Consequential Adjustment of the Total Consolidated Academic Allowance (TCAA) and other approved benefits to be included in their July salaries, alongside the payment of arrears dating back to January 2026.
Prof. Igbafen warned that failure to implement the agreement would leave the union with no alternative but to shut down academic activities indefinitely.
“We have acted with restraint and remained committed to dialogue. ”
However, if the agreement is not implemented in the July salary payment, our members will have no choice but to commence a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike,” he said.
The union accused the governments of Edo, Delta and Ondo States of failing to provide the necessary financial support required to implement the agreement, leaving academic staff in the affected universities at a disadvantage.
Prof. Igbafen described the situation as unfair, noting that lecturers in the seven universities had waited for six months without any concrete action from their respective state governments.
He added that patience among union members had worn thin after repeated delays and unfulfilled expectations.
According to him, ASUU congresses in the affected institutions have already begun mobilising members for industrial action in anticipation of continued non-compliance.
The union maintained that while it remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony within the university system, such peace can only be sustained when agreements are honoured.
ASUU therefore called on the governors of Edo, Delta and Ondo States to immediately implement the 2025 FG/ASUU Agreement to avert a disruption of academic activities across the affected universities.
