Lecturers issue end of July deadline to Edo, Delta and Ondo governments over unpaid 2025 agreement and salary arrears
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, warning that academic activities could be paralysed if the affected state governments fail to implement the 2025 Federal Government and ASUU Agreement before the end of July.
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The warning was issued on Monday by Professor Monday Igbafen, Coordinator of ASUU Benin Zone, during a press briefing in Benin City.
Professor Igbafen said lecturers had exhausted their patience after waiting six months for the implementation of the agreement, particularly the payment of the Consolidated Academic and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CATA) component and other approved allowances.
The institutions affected by the proposed industrial action 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.
Professor Igbafen said the union was disappointed that, while federal universities and several state-owned institutions across Nigeria had already implemented the agreement and settled outstanding arrears, the governments of Edo, Delta and Ondo states had yet to honour their commitments.
“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,” Professor Igbafen said.
The union maintained that mobilisation for an indefinite strike has already begun across the affected campuses, adding that lecturers expect their July 2026 salaries to fully reflect the agreed CATA component and all outstanding allowances.
“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,” Professor Igbafen warned.
ASUU also demanded the immediate payment of all salary arrears dating back to January 2026, arguing that continued delays have placed lecturers under significant financial pressure.
The dispute centres on the implementation of the 2025 agreement reached between the Federal Government and ASUU following negotiations over lecturers’ welfare and remuneration.
Although the agreement primarily involved the Federal Government, state-owned universities are expected to adopt the revised salary structure through their respective state governments.
Industrial actions by ASUU have repeatedly disrupted Nigeria’s university system over the past two decades, with disputes often focusing on funding, staff welfare, infrastructure and the implementation of negotiated agreements.
Previous nationwide strikes have resulted in prolonged academic interruptions, prompting repeated calls for governments at both federal and state levels to adopt more sustainable funding models for higher education.
The Benin Zone stressed that the union remains committed to industrial harmony but argued that lasting peace can only be achieved when governments honour agreements reached through collective bargaining.
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ASUU urged the governors of Edo, Delta and Ondo states to release the necessary funds immediately to avert another shutdown of academic activities in the affected universities.
