UNIBEN: ASUU Halts Postgraduate Programs Over Unpaid Entitlements

By AmforGod J. Olisa

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has announced an immediate withdrawal from all postgraduate programs. The decision, made on Sunday, is part of the union’s ongoing efforts to secure outstanding entitlements for postgraduate teaching and supervision.

Reports indicate that the debt is owed by the current UNIBEN administration, which will conclude its term in December 2024. During a meeting on Friday, June 14, 2024, the ASUU Congress resolved that all members cease their involvement in the postgraduate programs until their demands are met.

“All members of ASUU UNIBEN are directed to immediately stop participating in postgraduate teaching, supervision, seminars, examinations, and board meetings. This action will continue until all owed honoraria for postgraduate activities, accumulated during the current administration, are fully paid. Additionally, a clear structure for the administration and remuneration of academic staff in the postgraduate program must be negotiated and agreed upon between the UNIBEN administration and ASUU UNIBEN,” a union source, who requested anonymity, stated.

The source emphasized that the demands cover all postgraduate teaching and supervision conducted under the tenure of Vice-Chancellor Professor Lilian Salami. “In this harsh socio-economic climate, we must stand up for our rights. The laborer is worthy of his wages,” the source added.

Efforts to reach Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, the Public Relations Officer of the University, were unsuccessful as calls to her cell phone did not connect. However, a source close to the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that efforts are ongoing to resolve all outstanding entitlements owed to ASUU members involved in the postgraduate programs.