The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) branch, has declared an indefinite strike, citing unresolved salary, allowance and other employment-related issues affecting academic staff.
The industrial action commenced on September 16, 2026, following continued disagreement between the union and the university management over the implementation of agreed salary-related provisions.
Salary and allowance issues
A major issue behind the strike is the alleged incomplete payment of salaries owed to some academic staff. The union also raised concerns over outstanding responsibility allowances.
ASUU officials said members had continued to engage the university administration in an effort to resolve the issues and had exercised patience while awaiting the payment of outstanding entitlements. However, the union said the situation had reached a point where further delay was no longer acceptable.
The union also linked the dispute to the implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement reached in December 2025, which contains provisions concerning the welfare and conditions of service of academic staff.
48-hour ultimatum
Before announcing the strike, the UNIPORT ASUU branch reportedly issued a 48-hour ultimatum on September 11, 2026, demanding action on the outstanding issues.
According to reports, the deadline expired without what the union considered a satisfactory resolution, leading to the decision to commence the indefinite industrial action.
Union says dialogue has failed to resolve the dispute
The ASUU branch said it had engaged the university authorities on several occasions and had sought a resolution without disrupting academic activities.
However, the union maintained that continued engagement without concrete implementation of agreed obligations could not continue indefinitely.
The branch also expressed concern about the financial hardship allegedly being experienced by affected lecturers as a result of unpaid or incomplete entitlements.
Impact on academic activities
The strike is expected to affect academic activities at the University of Port Harcourt, including lectures and other activities involving academic staff.
Students may therefore experience disruptions to their academic schedules while the dispute between the union and university authorities remains unresolved.
The duration of the strike remains uncertain, as the union has indicated that the industrial action will continue until the outstanding issues are addressed.
ASUU demands resolution
The UNIPORT chapter is seeking the resolution of the outstanding salary and allowance issues and compliance with applicable agreements and directives concerning the welfare of academic staff.
The development places additional pressure on the university management and other relevant authorities to engage the union and find a settlement capable of restoring normal academic activities.
For students and parents, the immediate priority will be the resolution of the dispute and the eventual reopening of normal academic activities at the institution.
As of September 17, 2026, the strike remains in effect, with no announced date for its suspension.