ASUU NDU SUSPENDS INDEFINITE STRIKE, URGES BAYELSA GOVT TO REVIEW SUBVENTION POLICY, STAFF ACCOMMODATION

The Niger Delta University (NDU) Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its 17-day industrial action following an agreement with the Bayelsa State Government on the implementation and payment of academic allowances and wage award arrears.

The suspension was announced by the NDU ASUU Chairperson, Comrade Oyinkepreye Lucky Bebeteidoh, after a meeting with members of the union at the Faculty of Law Campus in Yenagoa on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Comr. Bebeteidoh said the state government had agreed to commence payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Professorial Allowance to academic staff from October 2026.

He said the government also agreed to begin payment of nine months’ arrears of the CATA and Professorial Allowance from January 2027, alongside 19 months’ wage award arrears.

The agreement was signed by him on behalf of the union, while the Bayelsa State Government was represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, and the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Odoko Saturday Omiloli.

Comr. Bebeteidoh, however, warned that the union could take appropriate action under labour laws if the government substantially breached the agreement.

He also stressed that members of the union should not be victimised for participating in the industrial action.

Beyond the agreement that led to the suspension of the strike, the ASUU NDU Chairperson appealed to the Bayelsa State Government to review its subvention policy, which he said was affecting the operations of the university.

“NDU is facing a lot of challenges from subvention. The subvention policy of the state government is grinding the university down slowly,” Bebeteidoh said.

He also raised concerns over the lack of accommodation for university staff, saying the situation was affecting their productivity.

According to him, some members of staff travel daily between Yenagoa and Amassoma, covering about 64 kilometres on a round trip.

“Some people do almost 64 kilometres, going 32, coming back 32, which is about 64 kilometres, and there is no way you come back from work, either through public transport or through your own means of transporting yourself, that you will be able to be productive after work,” he said.

Comr. Bebeteidoh appealed to Governor Douye Diri to address the concerns of the university community, particularly the subvention policy and accommodation for staff.

“We are appealing to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, to listen to our cry on the subvention policy. The subvention policy, as it is presently, is grinding the university to a halt,” he said.

He urged the state government to critically review the policy and consider providing housing units for university staff.

“The government should look at it critically and see how this policy can be set aside, and also the housing. We are willing to appeal to the state government to see how they can come in and build housing units for staff of the university,” Comr. Bebeteidoh added.

Reported by Bright Okpo