AAU lecturers threaten indefinite strike over unimplemented 2025 ASUU agreement

Academic activities at Ambrose Alli University may face another major disruption as the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced full mobilisation of its members for a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement.

The union disclosed that the decision was reached during a congress held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the university’s main campus in Ekpoma, following what it described as six months of fruitless waiting for the implementation of the agreement.

In a joint statement issued after the congress, ASUU-AAU Chairman, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele, and Secretary, Dr. William Odion, expressed frustration over the continued failure of both the university management and the Edo State Government to honour the terms of the agreement.

According to the union leaders, lecturers have exhausted their patience after repeated efforts to engage relevant authorities yielded no meaningful results.

They lamented that all attempts to persuade the university administration and the state government to implement the agreement had been met with what they described as trivialisation and disregard.

The congress, which attracted a large turnout of union members, resolved that beginning with the July 2026 salary payment, lecturers must receive the Consequential Adjustment and Transition Allowance (CATA) component as well as all other allowances contained in the 2025 agreement.

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The union further demanded the immediate settlement of all accrued arrears dating back to January 2026.

ASUU warned that failure by the university authorities or the Edo State Government to comply with these resolutions would trigger a total and indefinite industrial action.

“Effective with the July 2026 salary, payment must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances stipulated in the Agreement,” the union stated.

It added that “all accrued arrears since January 2026 must be paid in full.”

The lecturers stressed that any deviation from these demands would leave them with no option but to embark on a comprehensive and indefinite strike.

Despite the threat of industrial action, the union acknowledged what it described as the positive disposition of the administration of Monday Okpebholo toward the university.

However, it maintained that the continued delay in implementing the agreement remains a major source of concern and dissatisfaction among academic staff.

The union noted that the situation is particularly troubling because federal universities across the country, as well as at least ten state-owned universities, have already implemented the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement, including the payment of outstanding arrears.

“This development is both saddening and provocative, particularly when all federal universities and no fewer than ten state universities have already implemented the Agreement, including the payment of arrears,” the statement said.

While reaffirming its commitment to maintaining industrial peace, ASUU insisted that prompt implementation of the agreement remains the only viable path to sustainable harmony within the institution.

The union therefore called on the university authorities and the Edo State Government to act urgently to avert another prolonged disruption of academic activities at the university.

The latest development raises concerns among students and parents, as an indefinite strike could significantly affect the academic calendar and further delay teaching, research and other university operations at AAU.