Williams Akpan, Calabar
The Academic activities at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, were grounded on Monday as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, resumed an indefinite strike over unpaid September and October 2026 salaries and the non-implementation of the financial components of the renegotiated 2025 agreement.
The latest action followed an emergency congress of the union attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, and members of the university management.
Speaking at the meeting, ASUU branch Chairman, Dr Patrick Ushie, said, “Lecturers had not received their September and October salaries, while the state government had yet to fulfil its financial commitments under the agreement”
Ushie recalled that Governor Bassey Otu had, on July 21, 2026, met with the union’s leadership and promised that the financial components of the agreement would be implemented within 90 days.
The meeting was attended by ASUU Calabar Zonal Coordinator, Dr Ikechukwu Igwenyi, who led the delegation that engaged the governor before the suspension of the previous strike.
The union had commenced its earlier industrial action on May 19, 2026, but suspended it on July 21 following the governor’s intervention and assurances.
However, the union said the failure to implement the agreed financial provisions, coupled with the outstanding salaries, had forced its members to return to the industrial action.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Francisca Bassey has appealed to the lecturers to reconsider their decision, disclosing that the governor had approved the payment of the outstanding salaries. She described Otu as “a man of honour and integrity.”
Professor Bassey further disclosed that the Accountant-General had assured her that October salaries would be paid before the close of business on Monday.
However, the lecturers maintained their position, insisting that the strike would only be suspended after the payments had been confirmed in their bank accounts. The union said it would reconvene to review the situation.
As of Monday, lecture halls were deserted, with students seen loitering around the campus, while the university’s entrance gate was partially locked.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Education and the Accountant-General for their reactions proved unsuccessful, as both officials were reportedly attending the APC presidential rally in Calabar.
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