The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Niger Delta University (NDU) chapter, has suspended its indefinite strike action following the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Bayelsa State Government.

New Telegraph recalls that the union had embarked on the industrial action over the state government’s delay in implementing the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Professional Allowance for academic staff.

Addressing journalists on Friday in Yenagoa, the ASUU-NDU Chairperson, Lucky Bebeteidoh, said the suspension of the strike followed an agreement reached between the union and the state government.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, NDU Branch, has just suspended its indefinite strike action, and this is resulting from a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed between the Bayelsa State Government and the branch,” Bebeteidoh stated.

He said the Bayelsa State Government had agreed to commence payment of the CATA and Professional Allowance from October 2026.

According to him, the government also agreed to begin payment of the nine months’ arrears of CATA and Professional Allowance, as well as the 19 months’ wage award arrears, from January 2027.

Bebeteidoh said the agreement further provided that no ASUU member would be victimised for participating in the industrial action.

He said: “That the government has agreed to commence the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Professional Allowance from October 2026.

“The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to commence the payment of the nine months’ CATA/Professional Allowance arrears from January 2027.

“The Bayelsa State Government has agreed to pay the 19 months’ wage award arrears from January 2027.”

The agreement also provides that where the Bayelsa State Government substantially breaches any of its terms, the union would be at liberty to take any action it considers necessary within the provisions of relevant labour laws.

“In the event of substantial breach of the agreement by the Government of Bayelsa State, the union shall take such actions as it may deem necessary within appropriate labour laws,” the agreement stated.

While thanking Governor Douye Diri for his support and intervention, the ASUU-NDU chairperson appealed to the state government to review the current subvention policy for the university, which he said was gradually crippling the institution.

He also called for the provision of adequate staff accommodation on the university campus, noting that the long daily commute between Yenagoa and Amassoma was affecting the productivity of lecturers and other members of the university community.

“As a branch, we are using this medium to again appeal that NDU is facing a lot of challenges. From subvention, the subvention policy of the state government is grinding the university down slowly.

“Also, the lack of housing in the university is affecting the output of members of the university community. We travel every day to and fro between Yenagoa and Amassoma.

“Some people do almost 64 kilometres — 32 kilometres going and 32 kilometres coming. There is no way you come back from work, either through public transport or through your own means, that you will be productive after work.

“So, we are appealing to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, to listen to our cry on the subvention policy. The policy, as it is presently, is grinding the university to a halt.

“The government should look at it critically and see how the policy can be set aside. Also, on housing, we are appealing to the state government to come in and build housing units for staff of the university,” Bebeteidoh stated.

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