The University of Cross River (UNICROSS) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has commenced an indefinite strike over the failure of the institution’s management to implement the salary structure and other welfare benefits of academic staff.
The union’s Chairman, Dr Patrick Ushie, issued a statement outlining many demands, including the immediate execution of the non-financial components of the 2025 ASUU-FG renegotiated agreement.
The union is also requesting additional government financing for the university, as well as timely payment of monthly salary by the third day of each consecutive month.
It also demanded the prompt payment of all unpaid salaries and arrears of the 35 and 25 percent wage increases enacted at public colleges since January 2023.
“All outstanding arrears of check-off dues owed to the ASUU-UNICROSS branch and ASUU national from 2017, amounting to N11.9 million, as well as current deductions for two months (December 2024 and November 2025) should be remitted without further delay,” the statement said.
ASUU also demanded payment of “outstanding promotion arrears and earned academic allowances accrued from July 2011 to December 2017 of the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement” to eligible staff.
Dr. Ushie stated that the decision to go on a total and indefinite strike sprang from a breakdown in conversation with university management after multiple sessions failed to produce outcomes.
“They (Management) told us that their hands are tied as they don’t have the funds to implement our demands.
“Management told us that they currently receive N300 million as subvention from the government and would need an additional N200 million to meet our demands,” he said.
“The union also wrote to the Cross River State Governor, but has yet to receive any response.
“Until our demands are met in full, the industrial action remains total and indefinitely,” Dr Ushie declared.
Attempts to reach the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francesca Bassey, were unsuccessful because she did not answer her phone or respond to text messages sent to her mobile number.
