Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Lecturers at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have resumed an indefinite strike over two months of unpaid salaries and the failure of the Cross River State Government to honour agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The industrial action was declared at an emergency congress held on Monday at the university’s Prefab Hall, Calabar main campus, following the expiration of a 90-day period given to the government to resolve the dispute.
The 90-day window followed a July meeting between Governor Bassey Otu, the university management and ASUU leadership, during which the governor intervened to secure the suspension of the union’s previous strike.
However, the period expired on October 21 without the government fully addressing the lecturers’ demands, prompting the union to resume its industrial action.
ASUU Chairman at UNICROSS, Dr Patrick Ushie, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, expressing disappointment over the government’s failure to fulfil its commitments.
He said, “The strike action was suspended that time because of the government intervention, but they have failed in the agreement, so we just resumed back. This particular one, it’s still indefinite.”
Ushie disclosed that lecturers were owed salaries for September and October, describing the non-payment as a major reason for the renewed dispute.
“Why are they not giving us the salary? It’s not as if it’s a gift, it’s a salary that we have worked for. As I speak with you now, they are owing us two months,” he said.
The union chairman also questioned claims that the state government had approved the release of outstanding entitlements, insisting that members had received no official confirmation of payment.
“We are hearing rumours, even though it’s not written on paper that the governor has given approval. But he gave approval three months ago, and obviously I have not been paid also, meaning that he didn’t follow up the approval,” he added.
Following the declaration, Ushie directed lecturers to withdraw their services, including teaching and supervision, until the government addresses their grievances and implements the 2025 agreement with ASUU.
“No teaching, no supervision, no anything that affects our teaching staff,” he said.
Despite the indefinite strike, the union expressed its readiness to return to academic activities as soon as the outstanding salaries and other agreed welfare demands are addressed.
“That’s all. If they need to pay us tonight, tomorrow morning we’ll resume,” the chairman added.
