The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin (UNIBEN) branch, has suspended its latest strike and directed lecturers to resume academic activities immediately. The decision followed the university administration’s payment of outstanding September 2026 staff emoluments, which prompted the union to end its withdrawal of services.
The suspension brings relief to students whose lectures, supervision, seminars and other academic activities were disrupted by the industrial action. However, students should still monitor announcements from their faculties and departments for specific information about lectures, examinations and other scheduled activities.
UNIBEN ASUU Strike Suspended on 12 October 2026
ASUU-UNIBEN announced the suspension on Monday, 12 October 2026, following a meeting of the branch congress.
The union had instructed its members to stop academic and administrative duties during the strike. These duties included undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, project supervision, seminars, departmental and faculty meetings, and the processing of examination results.
The branch suspended the action after the university administration paid the outstanding September 2026 emoluments. The union’s national leadership also approved the suspension, and lecturers received instructions to return to their duties immediately.
Why Did ASUU-UNIBEN Embark on Strike?
The dispute centred on the underpayment of lecturers’ September 2026 emoluments.
On 5 October, ASUU-UNIBEN directed its members to withdraw their services indefinitely until the outstanding payments were settled. The union said the university’s academic staff had not received their full September emoluments and called for the outstanding amount to be paid.
The dispute followed an earlier strike in September over concerns about lecturers’ August emoluments and outstanding allowances. Although the union suspended that earlier action after the university made payment commitments, another dispute emerged over September payments.
The latest suspension followed the reported settlement of the September payment issue.
Will UNIBEN Students Resume Lectures Now?
The suspension means ASUU-UNIBEN members have been directed to resume academic duties. It does not automatically confirm a new timetable for every lecture, examination or departmental activity.
Students should take the following steps:
- Check their faculty and departmental communication channels for lecture announcements.
- Contact their course representatives for timetable updates.
- Confirm examination dates and project-supervision arrangements with their departments.
- Continue checking official university announcements for any changes to academic activities.
- Keep up with course registration and other academic requirements that remain open.
Students should not rely solely on forwarded messages or unverified social media posts when planning their return to campus.
What Happens to UNIBEN Examinations and Project Supervision?
The strike disrupted academic duties, including teaching, supervision and the processing of examination results. With the suspension, lecturers have been directed to return to academic services.
However, students should wait for their departments to confirm any revised examination dates, project-supervision schedules or outstanding academic activities. The strike suspension itself does not establish a new examination timetable.
Students who had pending project meetings, seminars or assessments should contact their supervisors or departmental offices for instructions.
Is the UNIBEN ASUU Strike Fully Over?
ASUU-UNIBEN has suspended the industrial action and directed members to resume their duties. The latest report links the decision to the payment of outstanding September emoluments.
Students should understand the difference between the suspension of a strike and the publication of a complete academic timetable. The union’s decision allows academic activities to resume, while the university and individual departments may still need to communicate specific arrangements.
Students should therefore follow official announcements rather than assume that every activity will restart at the same time.
Conclusion
The UNIBEN ASUU strike was suspended on 12 October 2026 after the university administration paid the outstanding September staff emoluments. ASUU-UNIBEN directed lecturers to resume academic duties immediately.
Students should now check their departmental announcements for updated lecture schedules, examination arrangements, project supervision and other academic activities. The suspension is an important step towards restoring normal academic operations at the University of Benin.
