Benue State University’s Academic Staff Union (ASUU-BSU), has declared an indefinite strike few months after the suspension of a previous strike in June 2023.
The union’s decision comes as a response to the Benue State University (BSU) Administration’s failure to address long-standing issues related to the improved conditions of service for academic staff.
The announcement of the strike was made through a joint statement issued by the ASUU-BSU Branch chairman, Comrade Kwaghfan Tarnongo, and Secretary, Terrumun Gajir.
The union expressed disappointment with the BSU Administration for not fulfilling promises made during previous engagements, leading to the resumption of the suspended strike.
One of the key issues highlighted by ASUU-BSU is the administration’s refusal to address the welfare concerns of its members, despite a tripartite agreement reached in January 2023.
The agreement involved the Benue State Government, BSU Administration, and Governing Council, aiming to address issues related to promotions and annual increments through increased funding.
While acknowledging the state government’s commitment to providing additional funds for the specified purposes, the union accused the BSU Administration of collecting the funds but failing to disburse them to the academic staff, resulting in the May 2023 strike.
The unresolved issues leading to the current strike include the implementation and payment of accrued arrears of 2021, 2022, and 2023 promotions, annual incremental step arrears, April 2023 salary arrears, shortfall in the salaries of staff in the College of Health Sciences, payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), payment of Sundry allowances (PG, GST, EPS, SANDWICH), and the non-enrollment/implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHTS), among others.
ASUU-BSU called on students, the Benue public, and BSU stakeholders to advocate for the conclusive resolution of the welfare concerns raised by the union. The strike is attributed to the administration’s perceived indifference to the legitimate entitlements of academic staff at the university.
