The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has warned that it may begin an indefinite strike across state-owned universities in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Ebonyi if the affected state governments fail to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement and pay outstanding allowances.
The warning was issued on Wednesday during a press briefing at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Calabar.
Addressing journalists, ASUU Calabar Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, accused the four state governments of neglecting an agreement they participated in negotiating. He said the agreement, signed on December 23, 2025, and effective from January 2026, provides a 40 percent increase in the Consolidated Academic and Research Allowance (CARA), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), Professorial Allowance and other welfare benefits.
According to him, while federal universities and some state-owned institutions have begun implementing the agreement, universities in the Calabar Zone are yet to comply, with only Abia State showing commitment to implementation.
Prof. Igwenyi warned that failure to immediately implement the agreement and clear all outstanding entitlements would leave the union with no option but to embark on a total and indefinite strike.
He also expressed support for ASUU members at UNICROSS, who have been on strike for about three weeks over issues including unpaid salaries, withheld check-off dues, cooperative deductions, National Housing Fund contributions, promotion arrears and other welfare-related concerns.
The ASUU leader noted that lecturers in the affected universities continue to grapple with rising living costs while being denied benefits already enjoyed by their counterparts in federal institutions.
He called on the governors of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Ebonyi to urgently implement the agreement, settle outstanding salaries, allowances and third-party deductions, and prevent a prolonged disruption of academic activities.
Igwenyi also appealed to university governing councils, managements, lawmakers, parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to intervene, warning that the union would withdraw its services indefinitely if the issues remain unresolved.
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