‎The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, has warned that time is running  out on the prolonged renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government/ASUU agreement, declaring that  paralysis in public universities is imminent.

‎The Benin zonal coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, stated this at a press conference held Tuesday at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo state.

‎Igbafen said the union would no longer continue with what he termed “endless negotiation and renegotiation without results.”

‎The ASUU leader accused the federal government of failing to utilise the one-month window granted after the suspension of the two-week warning strike.

‎He recalled that ASUU suspended the strike on 21st October 2025 out of respect for students, parents, the media, the Nigeria Labour Congress and other Nigerians who appealed for dialogue.

‎He stated further that the union expected the government to show seriousness by concluding the lingering renegotiation and addressing all outstanding issues.

‎“Instead, government officials have demonstrated a blatant unwillingness to holistically resolve the matter, particularly the salary and conditions-of-service components, which remain the sore point of the negotiation,” he said.

‎Igbafen  added that ASUU rejected the salary increment proposed by the government, describing it as a “mere drop in the ocean” that cannot stem the growing brain drain in the nation’s university system.

‎He warned that the remaining days before the expiration of the one-month suspension must be used to avert a fresh nationwide strike, adding that the Benin zone is fully prepared to resume action once directed by ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC).