The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey and members of the University’s Management, on Monday, November 2, 2026, joined other members of the University’s academic staff at an emergency congress of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNICROSS Branch, where she appealed to the union to exercise patience and allow the Cross River State Government more time to fulfil its commitments. The congress, however, resolved to resume the suspended industrial action.
The strike, which commenced on May 19, 2026, and was suspended on July 21, 2026, was resumed over the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, particularly the outstanding welfare demands of the union.
Speaking at the congress, the ASUU Branch Chairperson, Dr. Patrick Ushie, recalled that shortly before the suspension of the strike, the union’s leadership, led by the Calabar Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, and the university management, led by Prof. Bassey, had held a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
According to Dr. Ushie, the Governor had assured the delegation that the State Government would commence implementation of the financial components of the union’s demands arising from the renegotiated 2025 agreement within 90 days. He, however, expressed concern that staff had yet to receive their September and October 2026 salaries.
Addressing the congress, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Bassey Edet Otu, had approved the payment of UNICROSS staff salaries and outlined her efforts to ensure the approval translated into actual payment.
Describing the Governor as a man of honour and integrity, she said he had done his part regarding the salary payment.
She further revealed that the Accountant General of Cross River State had assured her that, despite unforeseen bottlenecks, October salaries would be paid before the close of today’s official business.
She consequently appealed to the union to exercise patience and allow the government to fulfil its commitment.
Although the congress proceeded to resolve to resume the strike, members acknowledged the Vice Chancellor’s efforts and indicated that another congress would be convened to consider suspending the action once the October salaries were paid.
It would be recalled that, as part of efforts to improve staff and student welfare and address challenges in the university’s working environment, the Cross River State Government constituted a Technical Committee on the Review of the Working Environment of UNICROSS.
The committee, chaired by Prof. Uduak Effiong, was inaugurated on July 6, 2026, and submitted its report and recommendations to the State Government on September 28, 2026. Governor Otu assured the university community that he would carefully study the report, particularly its recommendations on staff and student welfare.
As part of the measures to address the university’s financial and welfare challenges, the State Government also undertook to pay the October, November and December 2026 salaries of UNICROSS staff directly through the Office of the Accountant General of Cross River State.
The Vice Chancellor’s personal appearance before the congress and her continued engagement with the State Government reflect her efforts to address the concerns of staff, secure the payment of outstanding salaries and sustain industrial harmony in the university.
UNICROSS Media Team
Hope you find the Above publication useful, Calabargist will love to keep you updated via our newsletter by subscribing with your email.
