The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter, has suspended all academic activities related to postgraduate programmes, citing non-payment of entitlements totalling N109 million. This decision comes barely 24 hours after students protested over the lack of electricity and water shortage on campus.
In a statement signed by ASUU chairman Ray N. Chikogu and secretary Success O. Abusomwan, the union explained that the amount represents 20% of tuition fees generated between 2020 and 2022 for administrative expenses, teaching, and supervision. The union claims that the university administration has only released N50 million out of the total debt owed.
According to Chikogu, the decision to withdraw their involvement in the postgraduate programme was approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union. He expressed disappointment in the administration's prioritisation of contractor debts over staff entitlements, stating that while the university paid debts owed to contractors by previous administrations, it failed to do the same for debts owed to staff for postgraduate teaching and supervision.
Chikogu lamented that the attempt to deny staff their hard-earned entitlements for the 2019/2020 session is unfair and uncharitable. He emphasized that the union resolved to withdraw their involvement in the postgraduate programme until all earned honoraria for postgraduate teaching, supervision, and internal examinations are fully paid. Additionally, the union demands a clearly defined structure for the administration of the postgraduate programme and remuneration of academic staff to prevent future interruptions.
The ASUU chairman commended members for standing up and speaking with one voice on the matter, noting that they have made some progress. However, he reiterated that the conditions for suspending their withdrawal from the postgraduate programme have not been met, and therefore, the resolution to stay off the programme remains in force. He urged members to remain resolute and not participate in any form in postgraduate activities until their demands are met.