By Our Reporter
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Branch, on Monday resolved to resume its suspended strike action over the non-implementation of key aspects of the renegotiated 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, particularly outstanding welfare demands.
The decision was taken at an emergency congress of the union attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, and members of the university management. Prof. Bassey appealed to the academic staff to exercise patience and give the Cross River State Government more time to fulfil its commitments. The congress, however, resolved to resume the industrial action.
The strike, which began on May 19, 2026, and was suspended on July 21, 2026, was restarted after the state government failed to implement the financial components of the union’s demands within the promised timeframe.
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Branch Chairperson Dr. Patrick Ushie told the congress that shortly before the suspension of the earlier strike, ASUU leadership, led by Calabar Zonal Coordinator Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, and university management under Prof. Bassey held a closed-door meeting with Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. The Governor, according to Dr. Ushie, assured the delegation that the state government would begin implementing the financial aspects of the renegotiated 2025 agreement within 90 days.
Dr. Ushie expressed concern that staff had yet to receive their September and October 2026 salaries, a development that prompted the emergency congress.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Bassey disclosed that Governor Otu had approved the payment of UNICROSS staff salaries and detailed her efforts to ensure the approval translated into actual disbursement. She described the Governor as a man of honour and integrity who had done his part on the salary issue.
The Vice Chancellor further revealed that the Accountant General of Cross River State had assured her that, despite unforeseen bottlenecks, October salaries would be paid before the close of official business on Monday. She therefore appealed to the union to remain patient and allow the government to meet its commitment.
Although the congress proceeded to resume the strike, members acknowledged the Vice Chancellor’s efforts and indicated that another congress would be convened to consider suspending the action once the October salaries were paid.
It would be recalled that, as part of efforts to improve staff and student welfare and address challenges in the university’s working environment, the Cross River State Government constituted a Technical Committee on the Review of the Working Environment of UNICROSS. The committee, chaired by Prof. Uduak Effiong, was inaugurated on July 6, 2026, and submitted its report and recommendations to the state government on September 28, 2026. Governor Otu assured the university community that he would carefully study the report, particularly its recommendations on staff and student welfare.
As part of measures to address the university’s financial and welfare challenges, the state government also undertook to pay the October, November and December 2026 salaries of UNICROSS staff directly through the Office of the Accountant General of Cross River State.
The Vice Chancellor’s personal appearance at the congress and her continued engagement with the state government reflect ongoing efforts to address staff concerns, secure payment of outstanding salaries and sustain industrial harmony in the university.
