ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike in DELSU, Six Other Universities Over Salary Dispute

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 reflected in the payment of members’ July salaries.

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.

Addressing journalists, the Benin Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the union had exhausted all avenues of engagement with the governments of the affected states without achieving the desired outcome.

He noted that while all federal universities and 10 state-owned universities across the country had implemented the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement, including the payment of arrears, the seven universities under the Benin Zone were yet to comply.

According to Igbafen, the union expects members’ July salaries to reflect the Career Advancement and Technical Allowance (CATA) component and all other entitlements contained in the agreement, while all outstanding arrears from January 2026 should be paid without further delay.

According to him, “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.

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

Describing the continued non-implementation of the agreement as unfair to its members, 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 implementatior.

“The Benin Zone views with the continued refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement at Ambrose Alii University, Ekpome; 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 trivialization and disregard.

“We therefore inform you tha our Congresses in the affected State universities have commenced full mobilization 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.”