By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to shut down academic activities in seven state-owned universities across Edo, Delta, and Ondo states if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not implemented in the July salary payment.
The affected institutions 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.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Benin Zone, Professor Monday Igbafen, said this on Monday, June 29, noting that the union had exhausted all avenues of engagement with the governors of the affected states.
He noted that all federal universities and 10 state-owned universities across the country had fully implemented the agreement, including the payment of arrears.
Prof. Igbafen said the July salaries of members in the affected institutions must reflect the Consequential Adjustment of Total Consolidated Academic Allowance and other entitlements contained in the agreement, while arrears from January 2026 must also be paid, failure of which would lead to an indefinite strike in the affected universities.
“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 as from the July salary.
“We therefore call on the governors of Edo, Ondo, and Delta states to act now, before our universities are shut down,” Igbafen said.
He described the continued non-implementation of the agreement as unjust and accused the affected state governments of failing to provide the financial backing required for implementation.
Igbafen said, “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 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.”
