Unpaid Salaries: ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike

Unpaid Salaries: ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike

Academic activities at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have been paralysed following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over unpaid salaries, welfare concerns, and alleged breaches of agreements by the university management.

The union announced the industrial action after negotiations with the university authorities reportedly failed to yield positive results.

In a statement issued by the ASUU-UNICROSS Chairman, Dr Patrick Ushie, the union accused the institution’s management and the Cross River State Government of failing to implement the approved salary structure and welfare packages for academic staff.

According to the statement, lecturers have withdrawn from all academic activities, including lectures, examinations, senate meetings, departmental meetings, and faculty board sessions, until their demands are fully met.

ASUU said the strike became unavoidable after several meetings with management ended without concrete commitments on the issues raised by the union.

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Dr Ushie disclosed that the university management admitted it lacked the financial capacity to meet the demands of lecturers.

“They told us that their hands are tied because they do not have the funds to implement our demands,” he stated.

According to him, the management revealed that the institution currently receives about N300 million monthly as government subvention but requires an additional N200 million to fully address the lecturers’ demands.

The union also lamented that a letter sent to Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, seeking intervention had yet to receive any official response.

Among the key demands listed by the union is the immediate implementation of the financial and non-financial components of the 2025 FG-ASUU renegotiated agreement.

ASUU further demanded the payment of all outstanding salaries and arrears resulting from the 35 percent and 25 percent wage awards approved for university workers since January 2023.

The lecturers also called for the prompt payment of monthly salaries on or before the third day of every month to prevent future delays.

In addition, the union demanded payment of earned academic allowances, promotion arrears dating back to July 2011, and other entitlements captured under the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement.

ASUU accused the university authorities of failing to remit over N11.9 million in check-off dues owed to both the local branch and the national body of the union since 2017.

The union also alleged that deductions from cooperative contributions and welfare levies belonging to staff members had not been remitted as required.

According to ASUU, the indefinite strike will remain in force until all demands are fully addressed by the university management and relevant government authorities.

The development has triggered concerns among students and parents over possible disruptions to the academic calendar at UNICROSS, especially amid growing industrial disputes in Nigeria’s public university system.

Efforts to get a response from the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Francesca Bassey, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages sent to her mobile line were not answered at the time of filing this report.

The latest industrial action adds to ongoing concerns about poor funding, unpaid allowances, and welfare challenges facing lecturers in many Nigerian public universities.

Unpaid Salaries: ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike