The Benue State Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Fr. Adasu University, Makurdi (FAUM) chapter to suspend its ongoing strike to pave the way for dialogue.
The appeal was contained in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula.
In the statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday, Kula acknowledged the union’s responsibility to protect the welfare of its members, but urged the lecturers to reciprocate government’s welfare interventions toward addressing longstanding challenges in the institution.
He said the notice of an “indefinite, total and comprehensive industrial action” issued by ASUU-FAUM reflected concerns that deserved attention, but argued that the government’s efforts over the last three years demonstrated sincerity in resolving inherited problems.
He highlighted several interventions to include the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and Excess Workload arrears dating back to 2009, which were fully settled in January 2025.
Others included the implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of related arrears, and the settlement of five months’ arrears of the 25 percent and 35 percent wage award for academic staff.
He recalled that the government also implemented the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), and paid five months’ pension arrears to retirees.
Other achievements, Kula said, include the successful digital capture of university pensioners by the Benue State Pension Board and the resolution of promotion bottlenecks affecting both academic and non-academic staff.
The government also implemented a health insurance scheme for workers and their families, he recalled.
He maintained that the measures were tangible and verifiable actions aimed at improving staff welfare and restoring confidence in the university system.
He noted that the issues currently being contested by the union, including promotion arrears from 2017 to 2022, pension arrears between 2015 and 2023, and salary adjustment arrears, were inherited liabilities accumulated over many years and could not realistically be settled at once.
Kula said: “These obligations did not originate under the present administration.
“They require careful planning, sustained commitment and phased implementation to ensure they are resolved without undermining the financial stability of government.”
The CPS pointed out that a prolonged industrial action would disrupt academic activities, delay graduations and impose additional burdens on parents and guardians.
According to him, the action will also negatively affect students whose academic future depends on a stable university calendar.
Kula said the current atmosphere was conducive for constructive engagement and urged ASUU-FAUM to continue negotiations rather than maintain a complete withdrawal of services.
He called on the union’s leadership and members to suspend the strike and return to the negotiating table.
“Such a decision will reflect statesmanship and commitment to the collective interests of students, staff, retirees and the broader university community,” he said.
According to him, Governor Hyacinth Alia has consistently shown willingness to confront inherited challenges and address long-standing welfare concerns.
“The progress already achieved should serve as a foundation for continued cooperation,” he said.
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