ASUU threatens indefinite strike in 7 Edo, Delta, Ondo state universities

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

The union warned that academic activities would be grounded if the affected state governments fail to implement the agreement in the July 2026 salary payment.

The universities 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.

Addressing journalists on Monday, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Benin Zone, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the governments of Edo, Delta and Ondo states without any meaningful progress.

He noted that while all federal universities and 10 state-owned universities had fully implemented the 2025 agreement, including payment of arrears, lecturers in the affected institutions were yet to benefit.

According to him, the July salaries of academic staff in the seven universities must reflect the Consequential Adjustment of the Total Consolidated Academic Allowance, TCAA, and other entitlements contained in the agreement, while arrears dating back to January 2026 should also be paid.

“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.

“ASUU 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 beginning with the July salary.

“We therefore call on the governors of Edo, Ondo and Delta states to act now before our universities are shut down,” Mr Igbafen said.

The ASUU leader described the continued refusal to implement the agreement as unjust, accusing the three state governments of failing to provide the financial backing required for its execution.

“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.

“The Benin Zone views the continued refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement in Ambrose Alli University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Delta State University, University of Delta, Dennis Osadebay University and Southern Delta University with grave concern.

“The patience of our congresses in these universities has been exhausted. For six months, our members have waited for concrete steps toward implementation of the agreement. Instead, they have been met with trivialisation and disregard.”

Igbafen disclosed that ASUU branches in the affected institutions had commenced mobilisation for what he described as a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike” should the three state governments fail to implement the agreement.

He urged the governors to act swiftly to avert a disruption of academic activities in the affected universities.