There is a looming industrial action at the three Bayelsa State-owned universities over the failure of the Bayelsa State Government to commence the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), signed on December 23, 2025, and unveiled to the general public on January 14, 2026.

The CBA represents the minimum standard expected of conditions of service in the Nigerian public university system.

Addressing a press conference in the conference room of the Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University (NDU), ASUU branches of NDU, the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), and Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, all under the Port Harcourt Zone, expressed concern that despite several letters to the Bayelsa State Government on the implementation of the CBA, the state government and the Visitor to the universities have refused to fulfil their part of the agreement.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Uzoma China, represented by the NDU-ASUU Chairman, Comrade Oyinkepreye Lucky Bebeteidoh, stated that, in keeping with the union’s tradition of wide consultation with critical stakeholders in the state’s educational system and its principle of extensive dialogue aimed at improving the university system, efforts had been made to engage the state government on the implications of delaying the implementation of the CBA.

“We had made concerted efforts to engage with the agents of the Bayelsa State Government on a peaceful implementation process without recourse to unwarranted industrial action. However, it would seem that the language of academic disruption is what is most appealing to the Government,” he said.

Bebeteidoh, flanked by Comrade Sylva Ligeiaziba, Chairman, BMU-ASUU; Sunny-Okoro Abeki, Chairman, UAT-ASUU; and Comrade Bruno Ikuli, Chairman, FUO-ASUU, expressed concern that although ASUU and the Bayelsa State Government had been engaging since January 2026, implementation was being delayed, allegedly creating the conditions for an unnecessary industrial crisis in the state’s university system.

He disclosed that states that are not as financially buoyant as Bayelsa have already commenced implementation of the CBA.

“Meanwhile, some state governments commenced implementation quietly. For instance, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Benue, Bauchi, and Sokoto have commenced implementation, but the oil-rich states are foot-dragging when they have more money than these other states.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the consolidated Academic Tools Allowance is for only academic staff of universities and not for civil servants or other public servants,” he added.

ASUU in NDU, UAT and BMU, however, called on the state governor and Visitor to the institutions to direct the CBA Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) to act swiftly to prevent the looming but avoidable industrial crisis.

“To also call on the visitor to the three concerned institutions in Bayelsa to act fast and apprehend the situation as he had earlier promised to do upon the conclusion of the CBA process, which he was fully abreast of.

“We also want the release of the white paper of the visitation panel set up by the visitor for all the state universities. Last year, the panel was set up, and they have submitted their reports.” (The Sun News)

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