The Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on a total and indefinite strike over what it described as the continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare and the failure to implement agreements reached with the Federal Government.

The zone covers public universities in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Cross River states across parts of the South-East and South-South regions.

The warning was contained in a statement issued after a zonal meeting held on Tuesday in Calabar. The statement was jointly signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Ikechuku Igwenyi, alongside chairpersons of ASUU branches in the affected states.

According to the union, it can no longer guarantee industrial peace in Abia State University (ABSU), Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), and the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).

ASUU accused the affected institutions of failing to fully implement the 2009 agreement reached between the Federal Government and the union, noting that only partial compliance had been recorded at UNICROSS.

“The Calabar Zonal leadership of ASUU today, sadly, alerts all well-meaning Nigerians that it cannot guarantee industrial harmony and, therefore, should not be held responsible when the internal mechanisms collapse,” the statement said.

The union warned that continued disregard for staff welfare and breach of agreements could push the universities into a “total, comprehensive and indefinite industrial action.”

ASUU stated that despite years of patience and restraint by lecturers, conditions within the universities have become increasingly unbearable.

Among the issues raised by the union were the non-payment of earned academic allowances, failure to implement the 25/35 per cent wage award, non-implementation of consequential adjustments tied to the new minimum wage, and delays in implementing recently approved academic and professorial allowances.

The lecturers also complained about persistent salary delays, which they said have created serious financial difficulties for members and negatively affected productivity within the institutions.

The union further accused some university authorities of withholding third-party deductions, including check-off dues, cooperative savings, pension contributions, and welfare deductions meant for staff and union activities.

Citing UNICROSS as an example, ASUU alleged that the institution had withheld 24 months of union dues, welfare contributions, Special Support Levy deductions, and National Housing Fund deductions dating back to 2018.

The statement added that rising inflation and economic hardship have pushed many university workers into severe financial struggles, making basic needs such as rent, medical bills, and children’s school fees difficult to meet.

“We can no longer be expected to maintain industrial peace while our members cannot afford the basic costs and needs of living. This is not merely a dispute over figures; it is a fight for the survival of the university system,” the union stated.

ASUU called on both federal and state governments to urgently address the issues to prevent disruption in academic activities.

The union also urged parents, students, traditional rulers, and the general public to hold the affected state governments responsible if the proposed strike eventually takes effect.