The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in three Bayelsa government-owned universities has threatened to embark on strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The affected institutions are the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Medical University, and University of Africa.

Speaking during a joint media briefing by the three ASUU branches under the Port Harcourt Zone, the lecturers expressed frustration over the government’s failure to implement the agreement.

They said several letters sent to the Bayelsa State Government since February 2026 had received no response, warning that continued silence could trigger industrial action.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Comrade Uzoma China, represented by NDU ASUU Chairman, Comrade Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, said the union had consistently pursued dialogue.

According to him, ASUU engaged relevant government officials in line with its tradition of consultation and peaceful dispute resolution.

He lamented that in spite months of engagement beginning in January 2026, implementation of the agreement had stalled, creating avoidable tension in the state’s university system.

Bebeteidoh said the government’s actions suggested it preferred disruption to constructive engagement with university workers.

He noted that several states, including Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Benue, Bauchi and Sokoto, had already commenced implementation of the agreement.

He questioned why oil-producing states were yet to implement the CBA despite having stronger financial capacity than many of the compliant states.

The union clarified that the Consolidated Academic Earned Allowance applies exclusively to university academic staff and not to civil servants or other public employees.

ASUU appealed to Bayelsa governor, Sen. Douye Diri, as Visitor to the institutions, to direct the CBA Implementation Monitoring Committee to immediately address the lingering issues.

The union also urged the governor to fulfil his earlier commitment by preventing what it described as a looming but avoidable industrial crisis.

It further demanded the release of the white paper on the reports of the visitation panels established for the three state-owned universities.

The lecturers said the panels concluded their assignments and submitted reports last year, but the government had yet to make the findings public.

ASUU also called on the state government to provide adequate staff accommodation across the three universities.

The union urged the government to strengthen its Prosperity Agenda in higher education by implementing the CBA and addressing all outstanding recommendations of various government committees.