The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike across seven state-owned universities in Edo, Delta, and Ondo States if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not implemented in members’ July 2026 salaries.

The union issued the warning during a press briefing held in Benin City, expressing dissatisfaction over the failure of the affected state governments to implement the agreement despite several months of engagement.

AFFECTED UNIVERSITIES

The institutions that may be affected by the proposed industrial action include:

• 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
• Southern Delta University, Ozoro

ASUU EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT

Speaking on behalf of the union, the Benin Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said every effort to resolve the issue through dialogue with the governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo States had failed to produce meaningful results.

According to him, while the Federal Government and several state governments have already implemented the provisions of the 2025 FG/ASUU Agreement, the seven affected state-owned universities are yet to comply.

LECTURERS DEMAND IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT

Prof. Igbafen stated that lecturers expect their July 2026 salaries to reflect the implementation of the agreement, particularly the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Allowances and the payment of outstanding arrears dating back to January 2026.

He described the continued delay as unfair to academic staff, noting that lecturers in the affected institutions have waited for over six months without any positive response from their respective state governments.

WARNING OF AN INDEFINITE STRIKE

The ASUU Benin Zone warned that failure by the governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo States to implement the agreement in the July salary payment would leave the union with no option but to commence a total and indefinite strike across the affected universities.

According to the union, the planned industrial action is intended to compel the state governments to honour their commitments under the agreement.

CALL FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION

ASUU called on the governors of the three states to urgently implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement to prevent a disruption of academic activities.

The union emphasized that prompt implementation would not only address the welfare concerns of lecturers but also help maintain stability in the affected institutions and prevent another prolonged interruption of the academic calendar.