The threat of another round of campus shutdowns is looming over seven state-owned universities in Edo, Delta and Ondo States as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned that lecturers could embark on an indefinite strike if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not reflected in July salaries.
The Union said failure by the affected state governments to implement the agreement and settle outstanding arrears would trigger a total suspension of academic activities across the institutions.
The universities affected by the warning are Ambrose Alli University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Delta State University, University of Delta, Dennis Osadebay University and Southern Delta University.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Prof. Monday Igbafen, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Benin Zone, said the Union had exhausted all available channels of engagement with the governors of the three states.
According to him, all federal universities and 10 state-owned universities across the country have already implemented the agreement in full, including the payment of arrears owed to lecturers.
Igbafen stated that the July salary of lecturers in the affected institutions must reflect the Consequential Adjustment of Total Consolidated Academic Allowance and other benefits captured in the agreement. He added that arrears dating back to January 2026 must also be paid.
“We state, with all sense of responsibility, that any failure or further prevarication by the three state governments will inevitably provoke a total, comprehensive, and indefinite industrial action.
“ASUU remains committed to industrial peace in our universities. However, peace without justice is a mirage. The only path to lasting harmony is the immediate and full implementation of the agreement as from the July salary.
“We therefore call on the Governors of Edo, Ondo, and Delta States to act now, before our universities are shut down,” he said.
Describing the continued failure to implement the agreement as unfair to lecturers, Igbafen accused the affected state governments of withholding the financial support needed to fulfil their obligations.
“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 Zone views the continued refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement 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, with grave concern.
“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 trivialisation and disregard.
“We therefore inform you that our congresses in the affected state universities have commenced full mobilisation 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 ASUU Benin Zone Coordinator said.
