By Sandra Kenneth
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) chapter, has declared an indefinite internal strike following the university administration’s failure to fully implement agreed-upon salary components.
The industrial action, which is backed by ASUU’s national body, commenced after the expiration of a midnight deadline on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
According to the union’s chairman Omeh Ngwoke, the dispute stems from an agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government in December 2025.
He said “ although the Federal Government initially directed universities to utilize internal funds to implement the new structure pending reimbursement, the UNIPORT management paid only the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), leaving other core salary components unpaid”.
Ngwoke revealed that despite the Federal Government clearing the backlog by May 2026, the university administration failed to restore full salary payments starting from June as anticipated.
“The prolonged shortfalls have plunged academic staff into severe financial distress, leaving many struggling to cover essential living costs, including food, healthcare, and children’s school fees” he lamented.
“Prior to the shutdown, ASUU held a congress and consulted with the university management, issuing an ultimatum that lapsed at midnight on Tuesday. With no resolution or financial settlement reached, the union officially activated its standing resolution to withdraw all services”.
To ensure total compliance, ASUU-UNIPORT has reactivated its Strike Monitoring Committee. The union warned that any member violating the strike directive would be reported to the national leadership for appropriate disciplinary action.
The union maintained that the industrial action will remain in force until the university management fully implements the agreed salary structure and addresses member welfare concerns.
