Unpaid Allowances: ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike in Four States
By Judex OKORO
The Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has concluded plans to embark on a total and indefinite strike across universities in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Cross River states over the non implementation of agreed allowances.
The union accused the governors of the four states of subjecting its members to "economic cruelty and strangulation" by failing to implement the December 23, 2025, Federal Government and ASUU agreement.
Speaking during a press briefing at the University of Cross River State, Unicross, the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Ikechukwu O. Igwenyi, said the affected state governments had mistaken the union's civility and patience for weakness.
The statement was jointly signed by the chairpersons of ASUU branches at Abia State University, ABSU, Akwa Ibom State University, AKSU, Ebonyi State University, Ebsu, Federal University Ndufu Alike, FUNAI, University of Education and Entrepreneurship, UEE, University of Cross River State, Unicross ,University of Uyo, Uniuyo, and the University of Calabar, Unical
Igwenyi said the agreement, signed after eight years of negotiations, was endorsed by the Federal Government, ASUU, vice chancellors and governing council chairmen of state universities.
According to him, the agreement provides for a 40 percent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance, CATA, payment of Earned Academic Allowances, EAA, Professorial Allowance, and 3.5 months of salary arrears.
He noted that while the Federal Government had released funds and federal universities had begun implementing the agreement, none of the state universities in the Calabar Zone had complied. He added that only eight state universities in other parts of the country had commenced implementation.
"We are drawing a line in the sand. The strike will be total, comprehensive and indefinite," Igwenyi said.
"If governments choose conflict over justice, we will paralyse the system until every kobo owed to our members is paid."
He stressed that university lecturers were equally affected by the country's economic challenges and inflation.
"We are not asking for charity. We are demanding the reward for our labour. A labourer is worthy of his hire," he said.
The union further disclosed that lecturers at Unicross had been on strike for three weeks over the non implementation of the agreement, unpaid salaries, withheld check off dues and outstanding promotion arrears.
It added that similar welfare issues persist at Akwa Ibom State University, Abia State University, Ebonyi State University and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship.
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