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In a move that offers a glimmer of hope for students and staff in Benue State’s tertiary institutions, the Academic Staff Union of Tertiary Institutions (ASUTI) has suspended its planned strike action. The decision, announced in a statement last week, provides the state government with a narrow window to address long-standing grievances before the situation escalates once more.
The union’s ultimatum gives Governor Hyacinth Alia until November 25, 2025, to resolve critical issues that have plagued academic staff for months. This suspension comes after weeks of tension, with lecturers threatening industrial action over unpaid salaries, pension discrepancies, and unfulfilled wage agreements.
At the heart of the dispute are three key demands. First, the immediate payment of outstanding salary arrears, which have left many lecturers struggling financially. Second, the proper implementation of the state’s pension law, which the union has criticized as “haphazard and arbitrary,” leading to inconsistencies and delays in retirement benefits. Third, the full rollout of the 25% and 35% wage awards promised to academic staff, aimed at aligning their compensation with national standards and easing the burden of inflation.
The union’s statement was clear in its warning: should the government fail to meet these conditions by the deadline, the suspended strike will resume without further notice. This conditional pause reflects a willingness to engage in dialogue but underscores the depth of frustration among educators who feel their contributions to Benue’s higher education sector have been undervalued.
For now, campuses across the state breathe a temporary sigh of relief. Students can continue their studies uninterrupted, and administrative operations proceed as normal. However, the clock is ticking. With just under two weeks remaining until November 25, all eyes are on the Alia administration to see if it can deliver on its commitments and avert a broader disruption to tertiary education in Benue.
This development highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s public sector, where funding shortages and policy implementation gaps continue to fuel labor unrest. If resolved positively, it could set a precedent for constructive negotiations; if not, it risks further eroding trust between the government and its workforce.
