The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, has issued a stern ultimatum to the governments of Edo, Delta, and Ondo states. Consequently, the union is threatening to ground all academic activities. They plan to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike across seven state-owned universities.
While addressing journalists at the University of Benin, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Benin Zone, Prof. Monday Igbafen, made this disclosure. He noted that the union has completely exhausted all avenues of peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement with the respective state governors. Furthermore, the looming industrial action hinges directly on the failure of these three state governments to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement. As a reminder, this agreement was officially unveiled on January 14, 2026.
According to the union, all federal universities have fully adopted the agreement. In addition, at least 10 other state-owned institutions across Nigeria have paid outstanding arrears. However, lecturers in these seven specific campuses continue to be shortchanged. They still lack the necessary financial backing from their state visitors.
ASUU Threatens Strike 2026
The 7 Affected State Universities At Risk of Total Shutdown
If the ultimatum expires without full compliance from the state executives, academic calendars will face immediate disruption. Specifically, the affected institutions include:
Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma — Edo State
Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba-Akoko — Ondo State
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa — Ondo State
Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka — Delta State
University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor — Delta State
Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba — Delta State
Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro — Delta State
Core Demands: Why ASUU is Mobilizing for Industrial Action
The union has explicitly stated its conditions for maintaining peace. Therefore, for normalcy to continue beyond the end of the month, the July 2026 salary payments for academic staff must change. The state governments must completely integrate the following statutory entitlements:
Consequential Adjustment of Allowances: First, the states must ensure immediate reflection of the Consequential Adjustment of the Total Consolidated Academic Allowance (TCAA) components. This also applies to the Consolidated Academic and Technologists Allowance (CATA) frameworks.
Full Payment of Arrears: Second, they must provide the settlement of all accrued financial arrears in full. These debts have been building up from January 2026 to date.
“We state, with all sense of responsibility, that any failure or further prevarication by the three state governments will inevitably provoke a total, comprehensive and indefinite industrial action. ASUU remains committed to industrial peace in our universities. However, peace without justice is a mirage.” — Prof. Monday Igbafen, ASUU Zonal Coordinator
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