UNIBEN lecturers refuse to call off strike over half salary dispute

Members of the University of Benin chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities have resolved to continue their indefinite strike over what they described as incomplete payment of their August salaries.

The lecturers took the decision on Friday after the university management failed to provide details of the amount paid, the outstanding balance and when the balance would be paid, according to a communique issued at the end of an ASUU congress.

The communique was signed by the branch Chairman and Secretary, Enaruna Edosa and Lucky Aimiyekagbon, respectively.

The lecturers had embarked on the strike on Wednesday over alleged payment of half salaries for August.

The communique 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.

“Congress then deliberated on the matter and resolved as follows: Consequent upon the fact that salaries up to August 2026 have not been fully paid, and information on the specific details as regards what was paid, what was outstanding, and when it would be paid were not readily available, there was no need in the first instance to have called Congress for a meeting, and as a result, the withdrawal of service continues until the outstanding salaries are fully paid.

“The motion for adjournment was moved by Comrade Praise Adeosun and seconded by Comrade J. Otakefe”, the resolution read.

However, the university management had denied that its academic staff were paid half salaries for August.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehannire, said in a statement on Wednesday that the claim was untrue.

The management said “it is not true that academic staff of the institution were paid half salary in August, 2026, declaring that the Federal Government has paid the salaries of all categories of staff up to August, 2026.”