ASUU CALLS OFF STRIKE AT NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Niger Delta University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-NDU) has suspended its indefinite strike following an agreement reached with the Bayelsa State Government.
The union had embarked on the industrial action over the government’s delay in implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Professional Allowance for academic staff.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday in Yenagoa, ASUU-NDU Chairperson, Lucky Bebeteidoh, said the strike was suspended after the union signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bayelsa State Government.
Bebeteidoh explained that the agreement provided the basis for the suspension of the industrial action, as both parties reached an understanding on the issues that led to the strike.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, NDU Branch just suspended its indefinite strike action, and this is resulting from a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed between the Bayelsa State Government and the branch,” he said.
He also appealed to the state government over the current funding arrangement for the university, saying the subvention policy was gradually undermining the institution.
On the reasons for suspending the strike, he said the state government had agreed to commence payment of CATA and Professional Allowance from October 2026.
He said the government had also agreed to begin payment of arrears of CATA and Professional Allowance, as well as 19 months’ wage award arrears, from January 2027.
Bebeteidoh said it was also agreed that no ASUU member would be victimised for participating in the industrial action, adding that the agreement paved the way for the union to suspend the strike.
He said, “That the government has agreed to commence the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Professional Allowance from October 2026.
“The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to commence the payment of the nine (9) months CATA/Professional Allowance Arrears from January 2027.
The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to pay the nineteen (19) months wage award arrears from January 2027.”
The agreement also states that if the state government substantially breaches its terms, the union may take any action it deems necessary within the appropriate labour laws.
“In the event of substantial breach of the agreement by the Government of Bayelsa State, the union shall take such actions as it may seem necessary within appropriate labour laws,” the agreement stated.
While thanking Governor Douye Diri for his support, Bebeteidoh expressed concern over what he described as inadequate financial support for the institution and the lack of staff accommodation.
As a branch, we are using this medium to again appeal that NDU is facing a lot of challenges; from subvention, the subvention policy of the state government is grinding the university down slowly.
“Also, the lack of housing in the university is also affecting the output of members of the university community. We travel every day to and fro – Yenagoa to Amassoma.
“Some people do almost 64 kilometres, that’s going 32, coming 32. And, there’s no way you come back from work either through public transport or through your own means that you will be productive after work.
“So, we are appealing to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri to listen to our cry, to listen to our cry on the subvention policy. The subvention policy, as it is presently, is grinding the university to a halt.
The government should look at it critically and see how the policy can be set aside. And also, on the housing, we are appealing to the state government to come in and build housing units for staff of the university,” Bebeteidoh stated.
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