AKSU academic staff begin indefinite strike by noon

Kufre Etuk, Uyo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) began a peaceful strike on Tuesday. The strike started on 3, 2025.

The academic staff have accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of ignoring their demands. This is despite several letters from the union.

The indefinite strike was declared today. The ASUU Congress made this decision. It was scheduled for 12 pm at the Obio Akpa campus of the university.

The union has listed parts of the reasons for the strike. They include non-payment of domestic servant and drivers’ allowances. There is nonpayment of ₦80,000 minimum wage and arrears. There is inadequate allocation of percentages for peculiar allowances. The union points out fraudulent payment of ₦2,000 for hazard allowance. Additionally, there is no implementation of 35% and 25% wage award. There is a delay and notional promotions payment and nonpayment for PG lecturers/supervision.

Confirming the strike action, ASUU chairman AKSU chapter, Dr. Frank Namso said most of the union’s demands have exceeded ten years.

“It is true we are beginning strike by 12pm today. We have written so many letters to government but nobody has answered us and this has lasted for ten years.

“Let me shock you. There are senior lecturers, Associate Professors, and Professors. Those in their equivalent cadres as non-teaching staff are collecting more salaries than they. This is the only university such thing is happening.

“We have not been paid domestic staff allowance but non-teaching staff have been paid. The teaching staff are given 8℅ of Learned Society Allowance but non-teaching staff are taking 25℅. We cannot continue like this. Something must be done.

“We have a compendium of several letters we have written to government and nobody has said anything.

“We are the only set of public servants that has not collected minimum wage. We have not been paid salary for the month of June. Our minimum wage with accumulated arrears from November 2024 has not been paid.”

The ASUU chairman agreed that the non-academic staff of the university have not collected their minimum wage. He noted that domestic staff allowances are paid to NASU members who are due. They also get a higher percentage of the peculiar allowance.

“Exams supervision allowance of 25℅ basic is paid to the cleaner in the institution. They have nothing to do with it,” the ASUU chairman said.