Lecturers’ union says negotiations with state government and university management failed to yield binding agreement

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Academic activities at Benue State University, Makurdi, have been disrupted as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, BSU branch, commenced an indefinite, comprehensive strike on Monday, 1st June 2026.

In a statement signed by branch chairman Dr. Ali Ako and secretary Prof. Daniel Chile, ASUU-BSU said the industrial action followed the collapse of sustained engagement with the university administration, Governing Council, and Benue State Government over unresolved welfare and governance issues.

The union said its congress resolved to down tools after “all efforts to produce meaningful and lasting solutions with the state government and school authorities had failed.”

“Despite all efforts, the Benue State Government, the University Administration and relevant authorities failed to engage the union through a formal Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Action containing clear commitments and implementation,” the statement read. “Instead, the university administration resorted to isolated and uncoordinated payments without any negotiated framework. These actions neither addressed the underlying issues nor provided a credible roadmap for resolution.”

ASUU-BSU declared that the strike “shall remain in full force until substantial progress is made and binding agreements are reached on the issues in dispute.”

The union listed its grievances to include:

1. Non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff
2. Absence of an effective Health Insurance Scheme
3. Irregular pension remittances
4. Non-payment of promotion arrears
5. Outstanding 25% / 35% wage award arrears
6. Incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries agreement
7. Unresolved taxation issues
8. Rejection of the Senate-Nominated Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

The strike is expected to affect teaching, supervision, and other academic activities at the university until negotiations resume and commitments are formalized.

Students, parents, and stakeholders are now awaiting the response of the Benue State Government and BSU management to the union’s demands, with hopes for a swift resolution to minimize disruption to the academic calendar.

–Unpaid Entitlements –Management’s lack of respect for Senate decisions
–Non payment of pension for retired staff
–Eroding Autonomy cited

By Our Reporter

Academic activities at the Benue State University (BSU), now Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi have been halted indefinitely due to the commencement of a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), BSU Branch, over unresolved welfare and governance issues.

The union on Monday broke the news of the commencement of the industrial action shortly after its Congress meeting where the Benue State government and the university’s management was blamed for failing to address longstanding grievances despite years of negotiations and interventions.

The Chairperson of ASUU-BSU, Dr. Ali Sule Ako, and the Secretary, Prof. Daniel Chile, in a communique which they signed stated that the union’s decision became inevitable following the continued non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff, irregular remittance of pension contributions, unpaid promotion arrears dating back to 2018, and the failure to fully implement salary adjustments and wage awards owed to lecturers.

The union lamented that several retired staff members had died without receiving their entitlements, while others continue to endure hardship years after leaving service.

The union further decried the absence of an effective health insurance scheme for workers, despite directives for staff enrollment, government counterpart funding has not been provided, rendering the programme ineffective.

Other issues cited include the accumulation of about 22 months of 25 and 35 percent wage award arrears, incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries (CATA), and what the union termed “excessive taxation” that has reduced staff earnings.

The ASUU-BSU further accused university authorities of undermining due process and institutional autonomy through the rejection of the Senate-nominated candidate for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ebute Agaba, without explanation.

The union added that repeated efforts by the branch, the ASUU zone and the National Executive Council (NEC) to secure a negotiated settlement failed to yield results, alleging that authorities instead resorted to isolated payments without committing to a formal agreement or clear implementation framework.

“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 union stated.

The union has also vowed that the strike would remain in force until substantial progress is made and or binding agreements are reached on all issues in dispute.

By Our Reporter

The Scientific Equipment Development Institute, SEDI, Minna, Niger State, has sealed the deal to supply scientific equipment, materials, and manpower training to Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi.

In a statement signed by the Head, Information and Protocol Unit of the polytechnic, Timothy Ihom, said the commitment was made on Tuesday by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SEDI, Dr. Jafaru Mahmud, during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the polytechnic.

The statement quoted Dr. Mahmud as saying “the partnership is part of SEDI’s contribution to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in line with the federal government policy.” He added that “the institute would also assist the polytechnic in meeting the requirements for accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education in the next assessment cycle.”

The image maker of Akawe Torkuka polytechnic revealed further that, “SEDI will begin with the immediate provision of science laboratory equipment, followed by training for staff and students in renewable energy and other technical areas.” The aim, he said, is “to help the polytechnic become a centre where students acquire quality education and practical skills to become self-reliant.”

While welcoming the delegation, the Rector of Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Dr. Martins Agena, said the “visit was a return engagement following his earlier trip to SEDI in Minna last year, where he sought collaboration to align the polytechnic with global best practices.”

Dr. Agena expressed confidence that “the partnership would create opportunities for students and lecturers to visit SEDI’s facilities in Minna for hands-on experience.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Rector, Academics, and Chairperson of the visit’s organizing committee, Dr. Philomena Odeh-Udeh, said “the collaboration aligns with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s vision of prioritizing science and technical education in Benue State. She commended SEDI for its timely intervention.”

The SEDI team conducted a physical assessment of the polytechnic’s facilities and signed a Memorandum of Uderstanding outlining the areas of intervention.