Benin, Nigeria | June 30, 2026
Academic activities in seven state-owned universities across Edo, Delta and Ondo states may soon be disrupted as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement.
The union warned that the industrial action would commence if the affected state governments fail to implement the agreement in lecturers’ July 2026 salaries.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on Monday, the ASUU Benin Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the union had exhausted dialogue with the affected state governments without achieving meaningful progress.
According to him, while federal universities and several state-owned institutions have implemented the agreement, the affected universities have yet to comply with key provisions, including the payment of the Consolidated Academic and Research Allowance (CATA) and other outstanding entitlements.
The universities affected 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.
Prof. Igbafen said failure by the state governments to honour the agreement would leave the union with no option but to commence an indefinite strike, a move that could significantly disrupt academic activities and affect thousands of students across the three states.
The development adds to growing concerns over recurring industrial disputes in Nigeria’s university system, with students and parents hoping that the affected state governments will act swiftly to avert another prolonged disruption to the academic calendar.