Otu Moves to End UNICROSS Strike, Implements New Allowance for Lecturers
Governor Bassey Otu has stepped up efforts to resolve the industrial dispute at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), approving the new Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), commencing its implementation and facilitating the payment of September 2026 salaries, with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, urging striking lecturers to reciprocate the government’s intervention by suspending the strike.
The latest development, particularly the payment of September salaries on Wednesday, November 11, has strengthened Management’s appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNICROSS Branch, to honour its earlier commitment to reconsider the industrial action once implementation of the new allowance commenced.
At an emergency congress on November 2, which she personally attended, Professor Bassey informed members that Governor Otu, in his capacity as Visitor to the University, had approved CATA and that the Office of the Accountant-General of the State had commenced implementation through the payment of October salaries.
Although members indicated that they had not received payment alerts at the time, the congress resolved to reconvene to consider suspending the strike upon confirmation of implementation. At its November 9 meeting, members acknowledged receipt of October salaries but raised concerns over variations in payments, delayed credits and outstanding balances under the new structure.
The union also raised concerns over September salaries and the non-financial provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, particularly those relating to the election of Heads of Departments. Management had assured members that September salaries would be paid in the second week of December, while outstanding October salary balances would be cleared alongside November salaries. The November 11 payment of September salaries represents an earlier fulfilment of that commitment.
Governor Otu has further directed that October, November and December 2026 salaries be paid under the new CATA structure, reflecting his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic staff and addressing issues affecting the University’s stability.
On the non-financial provisions of the agreement, Management explained that implementation would require a review of relevant sections of the University’s laws, with the involvement of the Cross River State House of Assembly. It also disclosed that it had commenced clearing outstanding ASUU check-off dues inherited from previous administrations, some of which accumulated more than ten years before Professor Bassey assumed office, through instalment payments.
While acknowledging initial administrative challenges associated with the transition to the new salary structure, Management assured staff that payment discrepancies and delays would be addressed. It noted that similar difficulties had arisen during the introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in federal universities.
Beyond the welfare concerns, Professor Bassey has highlighted the implications of the prolonged strike for the University’s academic programmes, particularly the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise scheduled for later this month.
She warned that the inability of affected departments to present their programmes for accreditation could have serious consequences for the admission of new students, making an early restoration of academic activities important to protecting the University’s academic standing and future enrolment.
The Vice Chancellor therefore appealed to ASUU to recognise the progress made by the State Government and University Management, stressing that the approval and implementation of CATA, payment of September salaries and ongoing efforts to settle inherited obligations demonstrate a willingness to address the union’s legitimate concerns.
She urged the union to honour the resolution reached at its November 2 congress by taking the necessary steps to suspend the strike, noting that prolonged disruption of academic activities would ultimately affect lecturers, students and the institution’s development.
