ASUU-NDU suspends strike after Bayelsa deal, seeks better funding

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Niger Delta University (NDU) branch, has suspended its indefinite strike following an agreement with the Bayelsa State Government on the implementation of outstanding allowances and wage award arrears.

The union had embarked on the strike over the state government’s delay in implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Professional Allowance.

Addressing journalists on Friday in Yenagoa, the ASUU-NDU Chairperson, Lucky Bebeteidoh, said the strike was suspended following the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the union and the state government.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, NDU branch, just suspended its indefinite strike action, and this is resulting from a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed between the Bayelsa State Government and the branch,” Bebeteidoh said.

Under the agreement, the state government will commence payment of CATA and Professional Allowance from October 2026.

The government also agreed to begin payment of nine months’ arrears of the CATA and Professional Allowance, as well as 19 months’ wage award arrears, from January 2027.

Bebeteidoh said the agreement also provided that no member of ASUU would be victimised for participating in the industrial action.

He said the union would take appropriate steps to suspend the strike in line with the agreement.

“The government has agreed to commence the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Professional Allowance from October 2026.

“The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to commence the payment of the nine-month CATA/Professional Allowance arrears from January 2027.

“The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to pay the 19-month wage award arrears from January 2027,” he said.

The agreement further provides that in the event of a substantial breach by the state government, the union may take appropriate action in accordance with labour laws.

“In the event of substantial breach of the agreement by the Government of Bayelsa State, the union shall take such actions as it may seem necessary within appropriate labour laws,” it stated.

While thanking Governor Douye Diri for his intervention and support, Bebeteidoh raised concerns over the university’s funding and staff accommodation.

He said the current subvention arrangement was putting increasing pressure on the institution and could undermine its ability to function effectively.

“As a branch, we are using this medium to again appeal that NDU is facing a lot of challenges; from subvention, the subvention policy of the state government is grinding the university down slowly,” he said.

Bebeteidoh also expressed concern over the lack of adequate accommodation for university staff, saying many lecturers travel daily between Yenagoa and the university’s Amassoma campus.

According to him, some members of staff travel about 64 kilometres daily, covering 32 kilometres each way.

“There is no way you come back from work, either through public transport or by your own means, that you will be productive after work,” he said.

He appealed to the state government to review the subvention policy and provide housing units for staff.

“So, we are appealing to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, to listen to our cry on the subvention policy. The subvention policy, as it is presently, is grinding the university to a halt.

“The government should look at it critically and see how the policy can be set aside. Also, on housing, we are appealing to the state government to come in and build housing units for staff of the university,” Bebeteidoh said.

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