The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a strong warning that it will shut down academic activities indefinitely in seven state-owned universities in Edo, Delta, and Ondo states if the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement is not fully implemented in the July salary.
The affected institutions are Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Delta State University, Abraka; University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro. Zonal Coordinator Prof. Monday Igbafen said the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the state governments. He noted that federal universities and several other state institutions have implemented the agreement, including payment of arrears, while these seven are being shortchanged. The union demands the Consequential Adjustment of Total Consolidated Academic Allowance and payment of arrears from January 2026.
“We state, with all sense of responsibility, that any failure… will inevitably provoke a total, comprehensive, and indefinite industrial action,” Igbafen declared. He urged the governors of Edo, Ondo, and Delta states to act immediately to avert the shutdown. The threat comes amid broader concerns about funding and welfare in public universities, with ASUU accusing the state governments of trivialising the agreement and failing to provide necessary financial backing. Students and parents in the region are watching developments closely as the new academic session approaches.
The potential strike could disrupt academic calendars, delay graduations, and affect thousands of students in the affected states. ASUU has consistently argued that poor funding and welfare issues are undermining the quality of university education in Nigeria. The union’s ultimatum reflects frustration over what it describes as selective implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. Education stakeholders have appealed to the state governments to engage the union constructively to prevent a shutdown that could have far-reaching consequences for the education sector in the South-South region.
