The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Branch, has resolved to resume its suspended industrial action over the non-implementation of outstanding welfare demands and delays in the payment of staff salaries.

 

The decision was reached on Monday, November 2, 2026, during an emergency congress of the union attended by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Francisca Bassey, and members of the institution’s management.

 

The Vice Chancellor appealed to the union to exercise patience and give the Cross River State Government more time to fulfil its commitments. However, the congress resolved to resume the strike, which was initially suspended on July 21, 2026.

 

Why UNICROSS ASUU Resumed the Strike

 

The industrial action, which initially commenced on May 19, 2026, was suspended following engagements between the union, university management and the Cross River State Government.

 

ASUU’s latest decision is linked to the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the union, particularly provisions relating to staff welfare and other outstanding demands.

 

Speaking at the emergency congress, the ASUU UNICROSS Branch Chairperson, Dr. Patrick Ushie, recalled that shortly before the suspension of the strike, the union’s leadership, led by the Calabar Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, and the university management, led by Prof. Bassey, held a closed-door meeting with Governor Bassey Edet Otu.

 

According to Ushie, the governor assured the delegation that the state government would begin implementing the financial components of the union’s demands arising from the renegotiated agreement within 90 days.

 

However, he expressed concern that academic staff had yet to receive their September and October 2026 salaries, describing the situation as one of the major reasons behind the emergency meeting.

 

UNICROSS Vice Chancellor Appeals for Patience

 

Addressing members of the union, Vice Chancellor Prof. Francisca Bassey disclosed that Governor Otu had approved the payment of salaries owed to university staff.

 

She explained that she had been making efforts to ensure that the governor’s approval translated into actual payment, describing the governor as a man of honour and integrity who had fulfilled his part of the commitment regarding salary payments.

 

Bassey further disclosed that the Cross River State Accountant General had assured her that, despite unforeseen administrative bottlenecks, October 2026 salaries would be paid before the close of official business on Monday.

 

She consequently appealed to ASUU members to exercise patience and allow the state government to fulfil its promises rather than proceed with the industrial action.

 

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Union Considers Suspending Strike After Salary Payment

 

Despite the Vice Chancellor’s appeal, the congress resolved to resume the suspended strike.

 

However, members acknowledged her efforts and indicated their willingness to convene another congress to consider suspending the industrial action once the October salaries were paid.

 

The development suggests that the payment of outstanding salaries could become a major factor in determining how long the renewed strike will last.

 

Cross River Government Constituted Committee to Address UNICROSS Challenges

 

The latest industrial dispute comes amid ongoing efforts by the Cross River State Government to address welfare and working environment challenges at the university.

 

As part of these efforts, the state government established a Technical Committee on the Review of the Working Environment of UNICROSS.

 

The committee, chaired by Prof. Uduak Effiong, was inaugurated on July 6, 2026, and submitted its report and recommendations to the state government on September 28, 2026.

 

Governor Otu subsequently assured the university community that he would carefully examine the report, particularly its recommendations concerning staff and student welfare.

 

The state government also undertook to pay the October, November and December 2026 salaries of UNICROSS staff directly through the Office of the Accountant General.

 

What Happens Next?

 

With ASUU having resolved to resume the strike, attention will now focus on the state government’s ability to fulfil its salary commitments and address the union’s outstanding demands.

 

The Vice Chancellor’s appearance at the emergency congress and her engagement with the union highlight ongoing efforts to prevent a prolonged industrial dispute.

 

However, whether the renewed strike will be suspended again may depend largely on the actual payment of the October salaries and progress towards implementing the outstanding agreements.

 

For students and parents, the development raises fresh concerns about possible disruptions to academic activities at the University of Cross River State.