Bayelsa Govt Opens Talks On Varsity Lecturers’ Allowance, Urges ASUU To Halt Strike
The Bayelsa State Government has expressed its readiness to negotiate with university lecturers in its employ over the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), recently approved by the Federal Government.
Deputy Governor, Senator Peter Akpe, made the position known during a meeting with leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapters at Niger Delta University (NDU) and Bayelsa Medical University, held at Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Douye Diri to improving the welfare of academic staff and advancing educational development in the state.
Akpe, however, clarified that state governments are not obligated to implement all agreements reached between the Federal Government and ASUU at the national level. He emphasized that while the state remains open to collaboration, decisions would be guided by financial realities.
He urged the union, particularly the NDU chapter of ASUU, to suspend its planned strike action, noting that previous engagements between both parties did not justify industrial action.
“As a government, we take workers’ welfare seriously. However, our financial capacity will determine what we can implement. We will not commit to obligations we cannot meet,” Akpe stated.
The Deputy Governor also directed the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the abandoned 48-unit housing project at the NDU campus and report back to government.
In his remarks, NDU ASUU Chairman, Comrade Oyinkepreye Bebeteidor, said the strike notice was prompted by the non-implementation of critical aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the union and the state government.
While acknowledging that parts of the agreement were implemented in 2025, Bebeteidor listed outstanding issues to include promotion arrears, staff accommodation, recruitment of academic staff, and the payment of 19 months’ arrears of 25 and 35 percent wage increases.
He also called for the immediate implementation of the CATA, in line with the 2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government.
Other ASUU representatives at the meeting included Chairperson of the Bayelsa Medical University chapter, Dr Sylva Ligeinaziba, alongside Prof. Stanley Ogoun, Prof. Gift Eke, Dr Tammy Johnbull, and Dr Emmanuel Atagboro.
The meeting underscored the need for sustained dialogue between the state government and academic unions to ensure industrial harmony and uninterrupted academic activities in Bayelsa’s tertiary institutions.
