UNIPORT LECTURERS HALT WORK OVER SALARY AND ALLOWANCE DISPUTES

The University of Port Harcourt branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared an indefinite strike over what it described as incomplete payment of salaries and responsibility allowances to its members. The decision was taken by the union following the failure to resolve the outstanding financial issues affecting lecturers at the institution.

The ASUU branch had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the university management on September 11, demanding action on the payment concerns. According to the union, the deadline expired without an agreement or satisfactory resolution, prompting members to withdraw their services indefinitely.

The lecturers alleged that some components of their salaries for June, July and August 2026 remained unpaid. They also complained about responsibility allowances, which they said some eligible members had not received for more than two years despite being entitled to the payments.

The union said the industrial action would remain in force until the outstanding salary components and allowances were addressed. The development is expected to affect academic activities at the university, including teaching and other responsibilities carried out by affected members of the academic staff.

The strike comes amid wider concerns within ASUU over the implementation of agreements on lecturers’ salaries, allowances and welfare. Several university branches across the country have recently taken industrial action or issued ultimatums over unpaid entitlements, while the national leadership has also raised concerns about unresolved issues with the Federal Government and state governments.