The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Niger Delta University branch has suspended its indefinite strike following an agreement reached with the Bayelsa State Government.
The union had embarked on the industrial action over the government’s delay in implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, CATA, and Professional Allowance.
Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa on Saturday, ASUU-NDU Chairperson, Lucky Bebeteidoh, said the strike was suspended after the union signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bayelsa 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.
He disclosed that the government had agreed to commence payment of CATA and Professional Allowance from October 2026.
According to him, the agreement also provides for the payment of nine months’ arrears of the allowances from January 2027, alongside 19 months of outstanding wage award arrears.
Bebeteidoh said the government had also agreed that no member of the union would be victimised for participating in the industrial action.
He said the commitments contained in the agreement formed the basis for the suspension of the strike.
“The Bayelsa State 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 months CATA/Professional Allowance arrears from January 2027.
“The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to pay the 19 months wage award arrears from January 2027,” he stated.
The agreement further provides that the union may take necessary action within the framework of applicable labour laws if the state government substantially breaches its terms.
“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,” the agreement stated.
While appreciating Governor Douye Diri for his support, Bebeteidoh raised concerns about the university’s funding structure, saying the current subvention policy was gradually undermining the institution.
“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.
He also appealed to the state government to address the lack of accommodation for university staff.
According to him, many staff members commute daily between Yenagoa and Amassoma, with some travelling about 64 kilometres round trip.
“Some people do almost 64 kilometres, that’s going 32, coming 32. And there’s no way you come back from work either through public transport or through your own means that you will be productive after work,” he said.
Bebeteidoh urged the state government to review the university’s funding arrangement and provide residential accommodation for staff.
“The government should look at it critically and see how the policy can be set aside. And also, on the housing, we are appealing to the state government to come in and build housing units for staff of the university,” he said.
