From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benue State University (BSU) branch, now Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (MOAUM), has declared an indefinite, total and comprehensive strike over what it described as the failure of the university administration and the Benue State Government to address longstanding welfare and governance issues affecting staff.
A statement jointly signed by the branch chairperson, Dr. Sule Ako, and secretary, Prof. Daniel Chile, said the decision was reached during the union’s congress meeting yesterday.
The union said the development became necessary after years of engagement with the university management, governing council and state government failed to yield satisfactory results.
The union said the action was also necessitated by persistent neglect of critical issues that have continued to affect staff’s welfare and the smooth operation of the institution.
Among the major grievances cited by the union is the non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff members.
The Union lamented that many former employees had waited for years without receiving their retirement benefits, with some reportedly dead without receiving their entitlements; a development they insisted was unacceptable and contrary to the principles of fairness and social justice.
It also expressed concern over the absence of an effective health insurance scheme for staff, noting that workers were often compelled to contribute personal funds to support colleagues facing serious health challenges. It argued that although staff were recently directed to enrol in a health insurance programme, the required counterpart funding had not been provided, rendering the initiative ineffective.
It further accused the government of irregular pension remittances, saying the government had consistently failed to remit employer contributions under the contributory pension scheme introduced in 2020.
According to the union, the irregular remittances had created uncertainty among staff regarding their retirement savings and future security. They also named the non-payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2018 as a major source of frustration, stating that many academic staff who earned promotions over the years have not received the corresponding financial benefits despite repeated discussions with management and government officials.
The union also raised the issue of outstanding 25 percent and 35 percent wage award arrears, stating that staff were owed about 22 months of arrears before the university administration paid only five months after learning of the union’s plans to embark on industrial action.
The union rejected what it described as a piecemeal approach to addressing workers’ welfare, insisting that all outstanding arrears must be fully settled.
It also decried the incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries (CATA) agreement.
While acknowledging that implementation commenced in January 2026, the union maintained that arrears were only partially paid and no clear framework had been provided for completing the process.
The union further raised concerns over unresolved taxation issues, alleging that an agreement reached in 2017 regarding the applicable tax regime for university staff had been abandoned. It argued that excessive tax deductions continue to reduce workers’ earnings at a time of economic hardship.
On governance matters, it condemned the rejection of the senate-nominated candidate for the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ebute Agaba, describing the action as a violation of due process, university autonomy and democratic governance within the institution.
According to the statement, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU had previously reviewed the branch’s grievances during a meeting in Yola and found merit in them. The NEC subsequently initiated a fact-finding and intervention process, including a visit to the university, in a bid to facilitate resolution of the disputes.”
The union, however, accused the Benue State Government, the university administration and relevant authorities of failing to engage it through a formal Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Action that would contain clear commitments and timelines for implementation.
It stated that instead of addressing the root causes of the grievances, authorities resorted to isolated and uncoordinated payments that lacked any negotiated framework capable of guaranteeing lasting solutions.
Declaring the commencement of the strike, the union insisted that the welfare of staff, the integrity of university governance and the future of BSU could no longer be subjected to what it termed endless promises and unfulfilled commitments, saying the strike would remain in force until substantial progress was made and binding agreements reached on all outstanding issues.
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