UNIBEN Denies ASUU’s Half-Salary Claim

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has dissociated itself from the industrial action embarked upon by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing the claims of salary underpayment as misinformation and misinterpretation of facts.

In a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Professor Enaruna Edosa, and Secretary, Dr Lucky Aimiyekagbon, ASUU had directed its members to withdraw their services over what it described as the payment of half salaries to academic staff.

The union announced “a total and indefinite withdrawal of services until the underpaid salaries are paid in full”.

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ASUU also instructed members to “cease to teach, supervise or attend Departmental Board, Faculty Board, Senate or other statutory meetings or participate in any academic or administrative activity while this action lasts.

However, the University Management denied the allegations that academic staff received half salaries in August 2026, saying the matter was a misunderstanding regarding a certain allowance.

The Management, in a statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Benedicta Ehanire, said the confusion had been cleared.

“The Federal Government has paid the salaries of all categories of staff up to August, 2026,” the PRO said.

The University Management noted that before publication, any allegation against the institution must be verified, adding that UNIBEN is a public institution with a system already in place for the authentication of information.

“The Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), which was mistaken for salary, has now been paid out to the staff who are eligible for the allowance, and the federal government has released it,” she said.

Dr Ehanire assured members of ASUU of Management’s commitment to the payment of all entitlements due to staff without hindrance.

She called on stakeholders to refrain from undue sensationalisation of issues to maintain the existing industrial harmony in the University and the Nigerian university system generally.