The Benin Zone of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has threatened to embark on industrial action over state governments’ failure to implement 2025 Federal Government’s Agreement with ASUU in state-owned universities.

Zonal Coordinator, Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, while speaking on the 2025 Agreement during a press conference in Benin, said despite the unveiling of the agreement on January 14, 2026 by the Federal Government, and the consequent directive given to state governments for an immediate implementation, the state governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo have failed to comply with the directive.

Igbafen, flanked by branch chairmen of the nine universities that make up the zone, stated that apart from the Federal Government that has implemented the Agrement in Federal universities, about ten state governments have followed suit.

He stated that “the next salary of our members in these universities must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances stipulated in the Agreement; and all accrued arrears from January 2026 must be paid in full, without delay.”

He added: “That unveiling signalled what should have been the end of years of struggle to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement and to secure enduring industrial peace in our public universities.

“At that historic moment, the State made a solemn pledge for full and immediate implementation and directed all State Governments to comply. The Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) were mandated to communicate this directive to all State Governors and Visitors to State Universities.

“We affirm that this directive has been duly transmitted. Our Branches 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, have engaged their respective University Administrations with sustained and good-faith advocacy for implementation.

“Regrettably, we must report that while all federal universities and no fewer than ten State universities nationwide have fully implemented the Agreement, including the payment of arrears, not one State university in the Benin Zone has done so.”

Igbafen, who described the state governments’ failure to implement the Agreement as not just “regrettably but provocative and unjust,” lamented: ‘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 Zonal Coordinator added: “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 that 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.” (The Guardian)

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