ASUU Strike: Abia Varsity Lecturers Say “No Recall, No Resumption” as Professor Becomes Fresh Flashpoint

ASUU strike don enter another interesting chapter for Abia State University, Uturu, as the union reportedly insist say lecturers no go end the action until a suspended professor is recalled. The position, attributed to ASUU-ABSU chairman Dr Chidi Mbah, don turn the professor’s suspension into one of the key issues determining when academic activities fit return fully.

For students wey don already spend enough time watching academic calendars change like football league fixtures, the development fit bring fresh worry. The central issue now no be only when lecturers go return classrooms, but whether the disagreement between the union and university authorities fit reach settlement before another academic disruption takes shape.

The Suspended Professor and ASUU’s Position

According to the material provided, Mbah’s position be say ASUU no intend to end the ASUU strike until the suspended professor is recalled. That means the union has tied its return to work to a specific administrative demand, making the professor’s status an important part of the ongoing dispute. The exact circumstances surrounding the professor’s suspension, however, need to be established through official documentation and statements from the university before stronger conclusions can be drawn.

The present development also fits into a longer history of labour disagreements at the institution. In January 2024, ASUU-ABSU embarked on industrial action over reported 11-month salary arrears. The union later suspended that strike after an emergency congress, following dialogue involving Governor Alex Otti and assurances that the outstanding issues would be addressed.

ASUU Strike Meets Wider University Welfare Crisis

The current ASUU strike should also be viewed against the wider national university labour dispute. In July 2026, ASUU zones raised fresh threats of industrial action over alleged failures by state governments to implement aspects of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, including allowances and other staff entitlements. The Calabar Zone specifically listed state-owned universities in Abia among institutions potentially affected by its threat.

At the same time, Abia’s government has repeatedly presented education as a major priority, saying it allocated 20 per cent of its 2026 budget to the sector and pointing to interventions at ABSU, including attention to hostel facilities. In May 2026, the state government also announced a five-member committee to investigate allegations of harassment, extortion and related misconduct involving students and lecturers at ABSU. These developments show why disputes involving university administration, staff welfare and disciplinary matters can quickly become bigger than one individual case.

For now, the ASUU strike remains a matter to watch closely because the next move by the university authorities, the union and the state government could determine whether the dispute ends through negotiation or develops into another prolonged academic interruption. One thing students certainly no need is another semester where the lecture timetable dey look ready, but everybody dey wait for somebody to press the “resume” button.