The University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has resolved to continue its indefinite strike over what it described as the incomplete payment of members’ August 2026 salaries.
The decision was taken on Friday at a congress of the union after the university management allegedly failed to provide details of the amount already paid, the outstanding balance and when the balance would be settled.
The communique issued at the end of the congress was signed by the branch Chairman and Secretary, Enaruna Edosa and Lucky Aimiyekagbon, respectively.
The lecturers had commenced the strike on Wednesday following what the union described as the payment of only part of their August salaries.
According to the communique, the branch chairman informed members that the university administration had made a part payment of the outstanding salaries.
However, the union said it sought clarification on the exact amount paid, the balance outstanding and the expected date of payment but was unable to obtain the information from the university authorities.
The communique partly read, “Congress was called to order at 10:50 am by the Branch Chairperson. The Chairperson briefed Congress on the latest development regarding the underpaid salary up to August 2026, stating that the University Administration has now paid a part.
“However, when he was quizzed on the clear details of what was paid, what was outstanding, and when it would be paid, he informed Congress that although he requested, the details were not provided by the University Bursar.”
Following deliberations, the congress resolved that the withdrawal of services would continue until the outstanding salaries were fully paid.
The union said the decision was based on the fact that salaries up to August 2026 had not, in its view, been fully settled and that sufficient information about the payments and outstanding balances was not available.
The communique added that the motion for adjournment was moved by Comrade Praise Adeosun and seconded by Comrade J. Otakefe.
University Management Disagrees
The university management, however, has denied the allegation that academic staff were paid half salaries for August.
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehannire, dismissed the claim in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the management, “it is not true that academic staff of the institution were paid half salary in August, 2026,” adding that the Federal Government had paid the salaries of all categories of staff up to August 2026.
The conflicting positions between the university management and the lecturers have now resulted in the continuation of the industrial action, with ASUU insisting that its members’ outstanding salaries must be fully paid before they return to work.
