ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike Over Salary Dispute In Edo, Delta, Ondo Universities

The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to shut down academic activities across seven state-owned universities in Edo, Delta and Ondo States if the affected governments fail to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement in the payment of July salaries.

The union warned that an indefinite industrial action would commence if the July salaries of its members do not reflect the CATA component and other allowances provided for in the agreement, alongside the payment of all accrued arrears from January 2026.

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.

Addressing journalists, the ASUU Benin Zone Coordinator, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the union had exhausted all avenues of engagement with the governors of the three states but had yet to secure implementation of the agreement.

He noted that while all federal universities and 10 state-owned universities across the country had fully implemented the agreement, including the payment of arrears, the affected institutions in Edo, Delta and Ondo states had failed to comply.

Igbafen said the July salaries of members in the affected universities must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances stipulated in the agreement, while all outstanding arrears from January 2026 should be paid without further delay.

“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,” he said.

“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.

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

The zonal coordinator described the continued non-implementation of the agreement as provocative and 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,” he said.

“The Benin Zone views 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, with grave concern.

“The patience of our Congresses in these universities has been exhausted. For six months, our members have awaited concrete steps toward the implementation of the Agreement. In return, they have been met only with trivialisation and disregard.

“We, therefore, inform you that our Congresses in the affected state universities have commenced full mobilisation for a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, in response to the persistent failure of the Governments of Edo, Ondo, and Delta States to honour the Agreement.”