ASUU shuts down Benue State University over unpaid arrears, welfare disputes

Academic activities at Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, have been grounded following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), BSU branch.

The union announced the industrial action on Monday, citing the failure of the university administration, Governing Council and Benue State Government to address longstanding welfare and governance issues affecting academic staff.

The decision was contained in a statement jointly signed by the branch chairman, Dr Ali Ako, and secretary, Prof Daniel Chile, after a congress meeting held on June 1, 2026.

According to the union, the strike became inevitable after several months of engagement with the authorities failed to produce concrete agreements on key demands.

ASUU stated that despite repeated discussions, the state government and university management did not enter into a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or Memorandum of Action (MoA) containing clear commitments and implementation timelines.

The union accused the university administration of making isolated and uncoordinated payments without addressing the underlying issues or providing a comprehensive roadmap for resolving the dispute.

“Consequently, ASUU-BSU has commenced an indefinite, total and comprehensive strike action, which shall remain in force until substantial progress is made and binding agreements are reached on the issues in dispute,” the statement read.

Among the grievances listed by the lecturers are the non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff, the absence of an effective health insurance scheme, irregular pension remittances and unpaid promotion arrears.

The union is also demanding payment of outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award arrears, full implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries agreement, resolution of taxation-related issues and a review of the rejection of the Senate-nominated Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

The strike is expected to disrupt academic activities across the institution as students and staff await a resolution of the dispute between the union and the authorities.

The Benue State Government and the university management are yet to officially respond to the strike action.