Academic activities at Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, have been brought to a halt following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The industrial action, which took effect on Monday, was announced by the union after what it described as unsuccessful efforts to secure commitments from the Benue State Government and the university management on several outstanding welfare and administrative issues.
In a statement jointly signed by the branch chairman, Dr. Ali Ako, and secretary, Prof. Daniel Chile, ASUU said the decision was reached during its congress held on June 1, 2026.
According to the union, repeated engagements with the university administration, the Governing Council, and state authorities failed to yield concrete agreements capable of addressing the concerns of lecturers.
ASUU accused the relevant authorities of neglecting to formalise resolutions through a Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Action that would contain specific obligations and implementation timelines.
The union further noted that while some payments had been made by the university management, such actions were carried out without any negotiated framework and did not adequately resolve the issues at the heart of the dispute.
READ ALSO:Â Benue State Introduces Free Basic Education In Public Schools
“As a result, the congress resolved that the union should embark on an indefinite, total and comprehensive strike action until substantial progress is recorded and binding agreements are reached on all contentious matters,” the statement said.
Among the key grievances listed by the lecturers are the non-payment of promotion arrears, outstanding pension and gratuity benefits for retired staff, irregular pension remittances, and the absence of a functional health insurance scheme.
The union also cited unpaid 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award arrears, incomplete implementation of the Consequential Adjustment to Academic Salaries agreement, unresolved taxation concerns, and opposition to the appointment of the Senate-nominated Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
The development is expected to disrupt academic activities at the state-owned institution as students and staff await further negotiations between the union and the authorities.
ASUU maintained that the strike would remain in force until meaningful progress is made toward resolving the issues raised by its members.