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 over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement.
The union warned that academic activities could be shut down if the agreement is not reflected in members’ July 2026 salary payments.
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 on Monday, the ASUU Benin Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the governments of the three states without achieving meaningful progress.
He noted that while federal universities and 10 state-owned universities had fully implemented the agreement, including the payment of arrears, the affected institutions were yet to comply.
According to Igbafen, the July salaries of lecturers in the seven universities must include the Consequential Adjustment of the Total Consolidated Academic Allowance (TCAA) and other approved entitlements under the agreement. He added that outstanding arrears dating back to January 2026 should also be paid.
He warned that failure by the Edo, Delta and Ondo state governments to implement the agreement would leave the union with no option but to commence 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,” he said.
The ASUU leader accused the three state governments of denying lecturers their rightful entitlements by failing to provide the financial support needed to implement the agreement.
He said members in the affected universities had waited for six months for concrete action but had instead been met with delays and what he described as disregard for their welfare.
Igbafen disclosed that ASUU congresses in the affected institutions had already begun mobilising members for an indefinite strike should the governments fail to honour the agreement.
He urged the governors of Edo, Delta and Ondo states to act swiftly to prevent the disruption of academic activities across the affected universities.
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