By Bright Daniel and Louisa Kejie
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has threatened to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike across state-owned universities in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Cross River States over the failure of their respective governments to implement the Federal Government/ASUU 2025 Agreement.
Addressing journalists at the main campus of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Calabar, ASUU Calabar Zone Coordinator, Comrade Ikechuku O. Igwenyi, said the union’s patience had been exhausted after years of dialogue and sacrifices, warning that continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare would inevitably disrupt academic activities across the zone.
He said it was painful for lecturers to be prevented from carrying out the profession they had devoted their lives to while noting that industrial actions affect not only lecturers and students but also the families of academic staff, many of whom are still pursuing higher degrees.
“It is difficult for us to be denied everything we know best how to do, which is teaching. There are some other things people do and make so much money out there, but for us, they don’t give us joy and satisfaction,” Igwenyi said.
“When there is such an action, you also recall that some of us are students. Any academic staff that does not have ‘Doctor’ or ‘Professor’ as a prefix is still a student, and when there is such an action, it affects everyone.
“We are not only students, we also have our children, and our children are the students in question. It is said that when elephants fight, the grasses suffer, but in our own case, when elephants fight, it is also on elephant grasses.”
Despite the growing tension, Igwenyi acknowledged efforts made by the university management and the Cross River State Government to address the issues.
“I want to appreciate you for the decision you’ve taken to confront the problem the way you have done. I am also aware that the university administration has been making efforts. We have had some engagements, and I am also aware that the government is making efforts.”
He explained that the press briefing became necessary because of the failure of state governments to implement the FGN/ASUU 2025 Agreement, which was signed on December 23, 2025, after eight years of negotiations.
According to him, the agreement was only achieved after several nationwide strikes and prolonged engagements between ASUU and the Federal Government.
“We have come to interact with the press as a consequence of the agreement by our union and the mandate of the Federal Government, which was signed on the 23rd of December 2025.
“Recall that we had to embark on several strikes before this agreement was reached after eight years of intense struggle. Initially, the Federal Government could not release the funds, and vice chancellors were directed to use their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to pay, a situation that eventually choked the universities.”
Igwenyi, disclosed that the Federal Government had fulfilled its own obligation by releasing funds to cover the implementation of the agreement in federal universities.
“The good news is that the Federal Government has already released the funds for the complete payment of the arrears from January to this month (July),” he said.
He, however, lamented that while federal universities and some state-owned universities had begun implementing the agreement, universities in the ASUU Calabar Zone were yet to fully comply.
The union warned that unless the governments of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Cross River States immediately implement the agreement, settle outstanding salary arrears, allowances, and third-party deductions, it would have no option but to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike across affected institutions.
The briefing had leaders of ASUU branches within the Calabar Zone, including representatives from UNICROSS, AKSU, ABSU, EBSU, UEE, FUNAI, UNIUYO and UNICAL, who expressed solidarity with the union’s position.
Short Link:
Leave feedback about this