Strike Looms in Bayelsa Varsities as ASUU Threatens Action Over Unimplemented CBA

Academic activities in Bayelsa State-owned universities may soon be disrupted as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned of a possible industrial action over the state government's failure to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with lecturers more than six months ago.

The warning was issued by ASUU branches of the Niger Delta University (NDU), University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT) and Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) during a joint press conference held at the Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University.

The union said the agreement, signed on December 23, 2025 and officially unveiled on January 14, 2026, remains unimplemented despite repeated engagements with the Bayelsa State Government.

According to ASUU, the CBA represents the minimum standard for conditions of service expected in Nigeria's public university system.

Speaking on behalf of the ASUU Port Harcourt Zone, the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Uzoma China, represented by the Chairman of NDU-ASUU, Comrade Oyinkepreye Lucky Bebeteidoh, expressed disappointment over what he described as the government's continued delay in honouring the agreement.

He said the union had consistently pursued dialogue in line with its tradition of engaging stakeholders before resorting to industrial action.

"We have made concerted efforts to engage with the agents of the Bayelsa State Government on a peaceful implementation process without recourse to unwarranted industrial action," Bebeteidoh said.

"However, it would seem that the language of academic disruption is what is most appealing to the government."

The briefing was attended by the Chairmen of BMU-ASUU, Comrade Sylva Ligeiaziba; UAT-ASUU, Comrade Sunny-Okoro Abeki; and FUO-ASUU, Comrade Bruno Ikuli.

ASUU said discussions with the state government have continued since January 2026 without any concrete progress, warning that the delay is creating conditions for an avoidable industrial crisis across the state's tertiary institutions.

The union noted that several states with fewer financial resources have already begun implementing similar agreements.

"Some state governments commenced implementation quietly. For instance, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Benue, Bauchi and Sokoto have commenced implementation, but the oil-rich states are foot-dragging when they have more money than these other states," Bebeteidoh said.

He clarified that the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance contained in the agreement applies exclusively to university academic staff and not to civil servants or other categories of public employees.

The union called on Governor Douye Diri, who serves as Visitor to the three universities, to direct the CBA Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) to immediately begin implementation of the agreement and avert a strike.

In addition, the union called for the release of the white paper on the reports of visitation panels previously constituted to review the affairs of the state-owned universities.

"We also want the release of the white paper of the visitation panel set up by the visitor for all the state universities. Last year, the panel was set up, and they have submitted their reports," the union said.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over industrial relations in Nigeria's public university system, with ASUU insisting that failure to implement negotiated agreements continues to threaten stability in higher education.