Mbah Raises ESUT Monthly Subvention By N115m, Urges ASUU To Suspend Strike

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has approved an additional N115 million monthly subvention for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) as part of efforts to address concerns surrounding the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ESUT chapter.

The additional funding will increase the state government’s monthly subvention to the university from N161 million to N276 million, representing a cumulative increase of N140 million since February 2026.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Onyia said the latest intervention demonstrated the administration’s commitment to strengthening ESUT’s capacity to meet its financial obligations, particularly its responsibilities to staff and students.

“Governor Mbah has demonstrated once again that his administration places the welfare of workers and the uninterrupted education of our young people at the heart of its priorities,” he said.

“This additional N115 million monthly intervention is a substantial commitment of public resources aimed at strengthening ESUT and ensuring that the institution can meet its obligations to its staff and students.”

He explained that the state government had been providing N136 million monthly to ESUT before February 2026.

The government subsequently approved an additional N25 million monthly intervention for the ESUT College of Medicine (ESUCOM) to support the payment of 120 additional staff, bringing total monthly support to N161 million.

With the latest N115 million increase, the state’s monthly subvention to ESUT will now stand at N276 million.

According to the SSG, the increased funding would assist the university in meeting the salary agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government.

He appealed to ASUU-ESUT members to reciprocate the government’s intervention by suspending their industrial action and returning to the classrooms.

“We appeal to ASUU-ESUT to reciprocate this gesture by resuming academic activities, while all outstanding issues are addressed through constructive dialogue,” Onyia said.

“Our students should not be made to bear the consequences of disagreements that can be resolved amicably.”

The SSG urged the university management, ASUU and other stakeholders to embrace dialogue and work together to resolve the outstanding issues.

He said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that students receive uninterrupted and quality education.

Onyia reaffirmed the Mbah administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the continued development of ESUT, assuring the university community of further support within available resources.

He said the government would continue to take steps to strengthen the institution and position it to fulfil its mandate as a leading university of science and technology.