The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin branch, has resolved that its members will not accept the payment of their September emoluments in instalments. This decision was made after the university management disclosed that the Federal Government's September salary warrant did not include newly negotiated allowances. ASUU's branch leadership informed the university management that it would have to convene an emergency congress before taking a final decision on the payment.
According to the university bursar, management had received the resolution of the ASUU-UNIBEN Congress held on September 29, 2026. The management appreciates the role played by various university-based unions in promoting the welfare of their members. However, it noted that emoluments earned by staff members are personal to each staff member and not collectively earned. The university management had decided to defer to the decision taken by the Congress of ASUU-UNIBEN to await the release of the allowance component of the emoluments due to academic staff.
Earlier, in a circular to all staff dated September 28, 2026, the university management informed the university community that it had received the payment warrant for September salaries. However, the warrant came without the newly negotiated allowances and was based on the old salary structure. A similar situation occurred during the August 2026 salary payment, when management was accused of paying half salaries. The Federal Government later released the warrant for the new allowances, and all affected staff were promptly paid.
To forestall a repeat of the August experience, the university management convened a meeting with all the unions in the university on September 28, 2026. The meeting was attended by leaders and representatives of ASUU, CONUA, NAMDA, SSANU, NAAT, and NASU. At the meeting, management briefed the unions on the status of the September emolument warrant and appealed for understanding to proceed with payment of salary based on the warrant on hand.
CONUA, NAMDA, SSANU, NAAT, and NASU agreed that management should proceed with the payment of September salaries based on the existing approved salary structure. However, ASUU's branch leadership informed the meeting that it would have to convene an emergency congress before taking a final decision. Management consequently approved the commencement of September salary payments to members of the unions that had given their consent.
The university management regrets any inconvenience this delay may cause and assures all staff that as soon as the Federal Government releases the warrant for the newly negotiated allowances, payment will be made without delay. Staff who are desirous of receiving their September 2026 salary while awaiting the release of the allowance component by the Federal Government were advised to approach the Salaries and Wages Division of the Bursary Department.
The university management has decided to respect the decision of ASUU-UNIBEN to await the release of the allowance component of the emoluments due to academic staff till the next Congress meeting fixed for Monday, October 5, 2026. The management will consider further action after the Congress meeting.
Key points
- ASUU UNIBEN rejects instalment payment of September salaries.
- University management received ASUU-UNIBEN Congress resolution.
- Staff can receive September salary without allowance component by October 2, 2026.
