Benue varsity lecturers begin indefinite strike over unpaid arrears

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Benue State University has commenced an indefinite strike, citing the non-payment of promotion arrears and other critical welfare issues as the primary reasons. The decision was announced by the branch chairman, Dr. Ali Ako, and secretary, Prof. Daniel Chile, following a congress meeting on Monday.

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Despite all efforts, the Benue State Government, the University Administration and relevant authorities failed to engage the union through a formal Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Action containing clear commitments and implementation timelines.

The union stated that the strike was necessitated by the failure of ongoing engagements with the university administration, the Governing Council, and the state government to address the lecturers' concerns. Despite numerous efforts, the ASUU branch reported that the state government, university administration, and relevant authorities had not formally engaged the union through a Memorandum of Understanding or Action that includes clear commitments and implementation timelines.

Instead, the university administration reportedly resorted to isolated and uncoordinated payments without a negotiated framework. The union views these actions as insufficient and not addressing the underlying problems or providing a credible path toward resolution. Consequently, ASUU-BSU has declared a comprehensive and total strike, which will remain in effect until substantial progress is made and binding agreements are reached.

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Instead, the university administration resorted to isolated and uncoordinated payments without any negotiated framework. These actions neither addressed the underlying issues nor provided a credible roadmap for resolution.

Key demands from the union include the settlement of unpaid pension and gratuity for retired staff, the establishment of an effective Health Insurance Scheme, and addressing irregular pension remittances. Lecturers are also seeking the payment of outstanding promotion arrears, wage award arrears (25%/35%), and the incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries agreement. Additionally, unresolved taxation issues and the rejection of the Senate-Nominated Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) are part of the dispute.

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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.