Follow Us on Google
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Academic activities at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) came to a halt on Monday as the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared a total and indefinite strike over 11 unresolved demands.
The strike took effect on 19 May 2026, according to Strike Bulletin No. 1 issued by the UNICROSS ASUU branch and signed by its chairperson, Comrade Patrick Ushie.
Ushie said the action followed the failure of the university management, governing council and government to implement the FG/ASUU agreement signed in January 2026 and address other outstanding issues affecting staff welfare.
“The failure to immediately attend to this agreement and other charters of demand has forced ASUU-UNICROSS to embark on a total and indefinite strike,” Ushie told members.
The union said its demands include the implementation of the 2023 FG-ASUU renegotiated salary structure and payment of accrued arrears from 1 January 2026. It also wants payment of earned academic allowances, promotion arrears dating back to 2011, and wage awards introduced for public university staff since 2023.
Other News
Other demands cover the remittance of N69 million in cooperative deductions, N11.87 million in check-off dues, and N2.15 million in welfare levy deductions. ASUU also called for increased government funding for UNICROSS, prompt payment of salaries by the 3rd of each month, and adherence to the university’s conditions of service on administrative appointments.
The union further demanded that the unpaid National Housing Fund deductions since 2018 be remitted to the Federal Mortgage Bank.
Under the directive contained in the bulletin, all lectures, senate meetings, departmental meetings and faculty board meetings are suspended. Lecturers are also barred from having contact with students. Research and community service are exempted.
Ushie said the branch chairperson remains the only authorised source of information and urged members to attend congress meetings promptly.
The University of Cross River State management and the state Ministry of Education had not issued a response as of press time.
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, could not be reached for comment.
