Benue Public Tertiary Institutions Shut Down as Academic Staff Resume Strike

The Academic Staff Unions of Tertiary Institutions in Benue State (ASUTIBS) have resumed their suspended strike action, citing the Benue State Government’s failure to address longstanding grievances relating to salaries and pension deductions.

In a letter dated July 7, 2026, addressed to the Head of Service, the union announced that its congresses held on July 6 unanimously resolved to resume the industrial action with immediate effect.

ASUTIBS is an umbrella body comprising the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) chapters in the state’s tertiary institutions.

The union is demanding the immediate implementation and payment of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase with arrears from September 2023, suspension of the current implementation of the state pension law, and payment of one month outstanding salary arrears.

The development is expected to disrupt academic activities across state-owned colleges of education and polytechnics in Benue State, affecting thousands of students.

The union has expressed readiness to return to the classroom once the issues are resolved.