Social commentators in Benue State have expressed mixed reactions following the decision by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Moses Oshio Adasu University (MOAU) Makurdi chapter, to embark on an indefinite strike.
In a widely shared post, popular commentator Ahoho Terungwa noted that the current industrial action is not due to non-payment of salaries or arrears a situation he said the Governor Hyacinth Alia administration has largely resolved. He highlighted that the state recently approved and paid cadre allowances to MOAU staff, a benefit many other states are yet to implement.
The strike, according to ASUU, is instead over the failure to satisfactorily address several lingering welfare-related matters. This comes shortly after the union at Benue State University (BSU) also declared an indefinite strike over similar concerns.
Ahoho Terungwa questioned the timing and approach, asking: “Strike before engaging the government? What a way to negotiate.”
The development has sparked debate on the state of industrial relations in Benue’s tertiary institutions, even as the government continues efforts to improve the welfare of academic staff.
