Unpaid Arrears, Welfare Crisis Push BSU Lecturers Into Strike

Academic activities at Benue State University may face disruption following the decision of the institution’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to commence an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and governance concerns.

The union said the action followed what it described as failed efforts to secure meaningful engagement with the university administration, Governing Council and the Benue State Government on longstanding issues affecting lecturers and the institution.

In a statement jointly signed by branch chairman, Dr Ali Ako, and secretary, Prof Daniel Chile, the union disclosed that the decision was reached during its congress meeting held on Monday after attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue yielded no concrete outcome.

According to the union, authorities failed to provide a formal Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Action containing clear commitments and timelines for implementation of agreements.

ASUU said while some isolated payments had been made by the university administration, such measures lacked a negotiated framework and did not address the underlying concerns driving the crisis.

“Consequently, ASUU-BSU has commenced an indefinite, total and comprehensive strike action, which shall remain in force until substantial progress is made and binding agreements are reached on the issues in dispute,” the statement noted.

Among the issues listed by the union are unpaid promotion arrears, outstanding pension and gratuity for retired staff, irregular pension remittances and the absence of an effective health insurance scheme.

The lecturers also raised concerns over unpaid 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award arrears, incomplete implementation of the consequential adjustment to academic salaries agreement, unresolved taxation issues and the rejection of a Senate-nominated Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

The strike adds to growing concerns over welfare challenges and governance disputes in public universities, with fears that prolonged industrial action could disrupt academic activities at the institution.