State-owned varsities in Edo, Ondo, Delta risk closure over

From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, yesterday threatened to shut down the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Delta State University, Abraka, University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba and Southern Delta University, Ozoro over alleged breaches of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement.

Zonal Coordinator, Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, in a statement titled: “Total strike looms in state universities across Edo, Ondo and Delta states over the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement”, said they have been pushed to the wall by the governors and Visitors of the various institutions.

He said the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement was formally unveiled on January 14, 2026 by the Federal Government.

Prof. Igbafen said the unveiling signalled what should have been the end of years of struggle to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement and to secure enduring industrial peace in our public universities.

Igbafen pointed out that at that historic moment, the State made a solemn pledge for full and immediate implementation and directed all state governments to comply.

The Benin zonal coordinator of ASUU noted that the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) were also mandated to communicate this directive to all State Governors and Visitors to State universities and which has been done.

He said while all federal universities and no fewer than 10 State universities nationwide have fully implemented the Agreement, including the payment of arrears, not one State university in the Benin Zone has done so.

He added that this is not merely regrettable; it is provocative and unjust adding that their members in these institutions are being shortchanged by the Governors and Visitors of Edo, Ondo and Delta states, who have failed to provide the financial backing required for the implementation.

He said for six months, their members have awaited concrete steps toward the implementation of the Agreement and in return, they have been met only with trivialization and disregard.

“We, therefore, inform you that our Congresses in the affected state universities have commenced full mobilization for a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike in response to the persistent failure of the Governments of Edo, Ondo, and Delta States to honour the agreement.