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- University of Africa gives Govt two weeks’ ultimatum
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Niger Delta University (NDU) and the Bayelsà Medical University (BMU) have declared an industrial action over the alleged refusal of the State Government to implement the 2025 CBA agreement.
The two state-owned institutions held an enlarged Congress separately at Amassoma and Yenagoa campuses in the State, also listed outstanding 19 months’ arrears among others as reasons for the industrial action.
The Chairman, ASUU-NDU, Comrade Oyinkepreye Lucky Bebeteidoh, confirmed that the union has declared an indefinite strike action with a demand for the government to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in December, 2025, with an implementation timeline of January, 2026.
He said the lecturers are demanding the implementation of the computed figure of CATA for the three State-owned universities, amounting to N336,936,294,87 for all academic staff, which has a valid signed agreement since December 23rd, 2025.
Comrade Bebeteidoh also said that ASUU is demanding the implementation of the CATA, as contained in the agreement.
According to him, ASUU wrote to the state government in February 2026 to inform the state government of the signed agreement and the need to commence payment.
He insisted that available records show that more than 10 states, which do not get half of what comes to Bayelsà State Government from the Federation Account, have implemented. “Other states did not wait for Bayelsà State Government to implement before they started. Why will Bayelsa State Government wait for other states to implement before they do?” he said.
On the outstanding 19 months 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award arrears, the ASUU leadership pointed out that the late implementation of the wage award led to an arrears of 25 months, and the payment of six months’ arrears left a balance of 19 months, with a promise by the state government that it will be paid when state revenue improves.
Bebeteidoh recalled that following the signing of the MOU with the state government in February, 2025, ASUU suspended the avoidable industrial action which was allegedly foisted on the union by the State Government
.” More than a year after the signing of the MoU, no action has been taken on the 19 months’ arrears.”
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