The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) Branch, has threatened to convene a congress on October 5, 2026, to decide on appropriate action if the university fails to pay its members’ September emoluments in full by October 3.
The union, in a statement dated September 30 and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Enaruna Edosa, and Secretary, Lucky Aimiyekagbon, also accused the university management of engaging in direct negotiations with individual members over the payment of their monthly emoluments in fractions.
ASUU-UNIBEN described the alleged move as a violation of Nigerian labour laws and international labour standards, warning the management to immediately discontinue the practice.
Citing International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 98 and 87, the union maintained that Nigeria, as a member of the organisation, was bound by conventions guaranteeing workers’ rights to organise and engage in collective bargaining.
It accused the university management of undermining these protections by attempting to negotiate directly with individual members outside the recognised union structure.
The statement said: “Under established labour jurisprudence, once a Union is recognised as the bargaining agent for employees, the Union possesses the exclusive mandate to negotiate terms and conditions of engagement and remuneration.
“The Administration of the University of Benin does not have the legal right to alter terms of engagement or negotiate agreements with individual members of our Union. Any individual agreement reached in circumvention of the Union is null, void, and an unfair labour practice”.
To avert a breakdown of industrial harmony and possible legal action at the National Industrial Court, ASUU-UNIBEN urged the management to end all individual negotiations, meetings and correspondence with its members concerning collective employment terms and remuneration.
The union also demanded the withdrawal of any individual offers or undertakings previously issued to its members, insisting that all future proposals, notices and negotiations must be channelled exclusively through its elected leadership.
It further demanded an assurance from the university administration that it would respect the collective bargaining framework and discontinue all forms of direct dealings with individual members.
While expressing its willingness to participate in constructive dialogue through legally recognised channels, the union insisted that its demand for the full payment of its members’ salaries was justified.
The statement added: “reiterated that it is justified under any circumstance for our Union to demand and insist on the proper payment of the remuneration of our members for work done and for services rendered, and we wonder why the Administration of the University of Benin has chosen to be confrontational over a just demand by ASUU UNIBEN.”
ASUU-UNIBEN further claimed that several federal universities had paid their staff members’ September 2026 emoluments in full, including the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Professorial Allowance (PA) and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
The institutions it listed include Bayero University, Kano; University of Ilorin; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; University of Port Harcourt; Federal University, Otuoke; Federal University, Kebbi; University of Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and Federal University of Technology, Akure.
The union said the University of Benin management owed its members and the public an explanation for its failure to pay the September emoluments in full, despite the payments reportedly made by the other institutions.
