ASUU shuts down Benue varsity over unpaid entitlements

Academic activities at the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, have been grounded indefinitely following the commencement of a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), BSU Branch, over unresolved welfare and governance issues. The union on Monday announced the industrial action shortly after its Congress meeting where they accused the Benue State government and the university administration of failing to address longstanding grievances despite years of negotiations and interventions. In a communique signed by the Chairperson of ASUU-BSU, Dr. Ali Sule Ako, and the Secretary, Prof. Daniel Chile, the union said the decision became inevitable following the continued non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff, irregular remittance of pension contributions, unpaid promotion arrears dating back to 2018, and the failure to fully implement salary adjustments and wage awards owed to lecturers. The union lamented that several retired staff members had died without receiving their entitlements, while others continue to endure hardship years after leaving service. ‎Kano lawmaker leaves NDC after losing return ticket, rejoins APC PDP Crisis: Turaki-led faction announces rival guber candidate in Kwara It also decried the absence of an effective health insurance scheme for workers, noting that despite directives for staff enrollment, government counterpart funding has not been provided, rendering the programme ineffective. The other issues cited included the accumulation of about 22 months of 25 and 35 percent wage award arrears, incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries (CATA), and what the union described as excessive taxation that has reduced staff earnings. The ASUU-BSU further accused university authorities of undermining due process and institutional autonomy through the rejection of the Senate-nominated candidate for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ebute Agaba, without explanation. The union said repeated efforts by the branch, the ASUU zone and the National Executive Council (NEC) to secure a negotiated settlement failed to yield results, alleging that authorities resorted to isolated payments without committing to a formal agreement or implementation framework. “The welfare of staff, the integrity of university governance and the future of BSU cannot continue to be subjected to endless promises and unfulfilled commitments,” the union stated. They maintained that the strike would remain in force until substantial progress is made and binding agreements are reached on all issues in dispute.