By Torkuma Gbor
T
he Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Cross River State branch, has suspended academic activities indefinitely following unresolved disputes over salaries, allowances, and staff welfare.
The decision was taken at a congress held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and contained in Strike Bulletin No. 1 issued by the branch and signed by its chairman, Dr. Patrick O. Ushie.
The union said the action became necessary after the university management, governing council, and government allegedly failed to fully implement agreements previously reached with ASUU, particularly the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU renegotiated agreement.
According to the lecturers, the strike is a response to lingering financial and administrative challenges affecting staff welfare and working conditions in the institution.
ASUU listed key demands including the immediate implementation of the 2025 agreement, covering salary adjustments, arrears, and welfare allowances such as CATA, EAA, and other professional entitlements effective from January 1, 2026.
The union also demanded full implementation of the non-financial aspects of the agreement, alongside improved funding for the university system.
It further insisted that salaries be paid regularly, not later than the third day of every new month.
The lecturers are also demanding payment of outstanding arrears linked to the 35 per cent and 25 per cent wage award in the university sector since 2023.
In addition, ASUU alleged that Special Support Fund deductions made in 2024 and 2025, totaling ₦2.154 million, have not been remitted.
The union further claimed that unpaid check-off dues owed to both the local branch and national ASUU since 2017 stand at ₦11.8 million, including deductions from November 2025 and December 2024.
It also demanded the release of ₦69 million reportedly deducted from staff cooperative contributions.
Other outstanding issues include promotion arrears estimated at over ₦1 billion, earned academic allowances worth ₦45 million covering 2011 to 2017, and unremitted National Housing Fund deductions due to the Federal Mortgage Bank.
ASUU maintained that all administrative appointments must comply strictly with established conditions of service within the university.
The union directed members to suspend all academic activities, including Senate, faculty, departmental, and council meetings, and to withdraw from teaching or any academic engagement with students during the strike period.
Research and community service activities were however, exempted from the industrial action.
Declaring the action “total and indefinite,” the union urged members to rely solely on official communications and to participate actively in congress meetings.