ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike At Benue State University Over Unpaid Entitlements, Governance Issues
Academic activities at Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, have been suspended indefinitely following the commencement of an industrial action by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The union announced the strike on Monday after its congress meeting, citing the failure of the Benue State Government and the university management to address several long-standing welfare and governance concerns affecting academic staff.
According to a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairperson of ASUU-BSU, Dr. Ali Sule Ako, and the Secretary, Prof. Daniel Chile, the decision to embark on the strike followed years of unsuccessful negotiations, appeals, and interventions aimed at resolving the lingering issues.
The union listed the non-payment of pensions and gratuities to retired staff, irregular remittance of pension contributions, unpaid promotion arrears dating back to 2018, and the incomplete implementation of salary adjustments and wage awards as some of the major grievances.
ASUU-BSU expressed concern over the plight of retired staff members, noting that many former employees who dedicated years of service to the university have continued to suffer due to delayed retirement benefits.
The union lamented that several retirees had reportedly died without receiving their entitlements, while many others remain in financial hardship years after leaving active service.
It further accused the authorities of failing to consistently remit pension deductions, a development it said has eroded trust among workers and raised concerns about the future security of serving staff.
The lecturers also highlighted the accumulation of approximately 22 months of unpaid 25 and 35 percent wage award arrears, alongside unresolved salary consequential adjustments and promotion arrears.
In addition, ASUU-BSU criticised what it described as excessive taxation imposed on staff members, arguing that the deductions have significantly reduced the earnings of lecturers.
The union also faulted the implementation of the health insurance scheme for staff, alleging that while workers had been directed to enroll, the government had failed to provide the necessary counterpart funding required for the scheme to function effectively.
Beyond welfare concerns, the union raised issues regarding institutional governance, accusing university authorities of disregarding established procedures and undermining the autonomy of the institution.
ASUU-BSU specifically referenced the rejection of the Senate-nominated candidate for the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ebute Agaba, without any official explanation.
According to the union, such actions threaten the integrity of university governance and could weaken confidence in the institution’s administrative processes.
The lecturers maintained that several efforts by the local branch, the ASUU zone, and the National Executive Council to secure a lasting resolution had not yielded meaningful results.
The union further accused the authorities of making piecemeal payments instead of entering into comprehensive agreements backed by clear implementation plans.
“The welfare of staff, the integrity of university governance, and the future of BSU cannot continue to be subjected to endless promises and unfulfilled commitments,” the communiqué stated.
ASUU-BSU emphasized that the industrial action will remain in force until substantial progress is made in addressing all outstanding issues.
The union insisted that only concrete commitments and binding agreements from the relevant authorities would pave the way for the suspension of the strike and the resumption of academic activities at the university.
