The Cross River State Government has taken further steps to address the welfare concerns of academic staff of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), with Governor Bassey Otu approving the implementation of the new Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and facilitating the payment of September 2026 salaries.
The development has prompted the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, to appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNICROSS Branch, to honour its earlier commitment to suspend the ongoing strike and restore academic activities, following the progress made by the State Government and University Management.
The payment of September salaries on Wednesday, November 11, followed the commencement of CATA implementation after Governor Otu approved the new allowance in his capacity as Visitor to the University. At an emergency ASUU congress on November 2, which she personally attended, Professor Bassey informed members that the Governor had approved the allowance and that the Office of the Accountant-General had commenced implementation through October salary payments.
Although members indicated that they were yet to receive payment alerts at the time, the congress resolved to reconvene and consider suspending the strike upon confirmation of implementation. At its November 9 meeting, members acknowledged receipt of October salaries but raised concerns over payment discrepancies, delays and outstanding balances arising from the new allowance structure.
Other concerns raised by the union included outstanding September salaries and the non-financial provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, particularly those relating to the election of Heads of Departments. Management subsequently assured members that outstanding October salary balances would be settled alongside November salaries, while September salaries were scheduled for payment in the second week of December. The payment on November 11 represents an earlier fulfilment of that commitment.
Governor Otu has further directed that October, November and December 2026 salaries be paid under the new CATA structure, demonstrating his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic staff and strengthening the University’s operations.
On the non-financial provisions of the agreement, Management explained that implementation would require a review of relevant sections of the University’s laws, involving the Cross River State House of Assembly. It also disclosed that efforts had commenced to clear outstanding ASUU check-off dues inherited from previous administrations, some of which accumulated more than ten years before Professor Bassey assumed office. The inherited obligations are being addressed through instalment payments.
While acknowledging the administrative challenges associated with introducing a new salary structure and payroll arrangement, Management assured staff that payment discrepancies and delays would be addressed and the process streamlined. It noted that similar difficulties had accompanied the introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in federal universities.
Professor Bassey has also drawn attention to the forthcoming National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise expected later this month, warning that the continued disruption of academic activities could prevent affected departments from presenting their programmes for assessment, with possible consequences for future student admissions.
She stressed that the University must be in a position to meet its accreditation obligations, protect academic standards and sustain the progress recorded in its academic programmes. The continued strike, she noted, could place these institutional responsibilities and the interests of students at risk.
The Vice Chancellor therefore appealed to ASUU to consider the progress made in addressing its demands, particularly the Governor’s approval and implementation of CATA, the payment of September salaries and Management’s efforts to settle inherited obligations and resolve outstanding concerns.
She urged the union to honour the resolution reached at its November 2 congress by taking the necessary steps to suspend the strike and restore academic activities, stressing that a stable academic environment remains essential to the University’s development and the collective interests of its staff, students and other stakeholders.
By Kingsley Agim
