The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Professor Francisca Bassey, has highlighted the progress made by the State Government and University Management in addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff, urging the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNICROSS Branch, to fulfil its commitment to suspend the ongoing strike following the implementation the new Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).
The call follows the approval of CATA by the Visitor to the University and Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and its implementation, alongside the payment of September 2026 salaries on Wednesday, November 11.
At the ASUU emergency congress on November 2, 2026, which she personally attended, the Vice Chancellor informed members that the Governor had approved CATA and that the Office of the Accountant-General of the State had commenced implementation, beginning with the payment of October salaries.
However, members who attended the congress indicated that they had not received payment alerts at the time, prompting Congress to resolve that it would reconvene to consider suspending the strike once there was confirmation or evidence of the commencement of CATA implementation.
At its subsequent congress on November 9, members acknowledged receipt of October salaries but expressed concerns over discrepancies in the amounts received, with some reportedly receiving more than their October salaries, while others received less than their expected CATA entitlements or experienced delays. Concerns were also raised over 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.
In response, Management had assured members that September salaries would be paid in the second week of December, while outstanding October salary balances arising from CATA implementation would be settled alongside November salaries. The payment of September salaries on November 11 represents further progress in meeting these commitments.
On the non-financial provisions of the agreement, Management explained that implementation would require a review of relevant provisions of the University’s laws, involving the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted Management’s efforts to address the union’s financial concerns, particularly the outstanding check-off dues accumulated more than ten years before her assumption of office. Despite inheriting the debt, her administration has commenced its clearance through instalment payments, demonstrating Management’s goodwill and commitment to addressing the union’s legitimate concerns.
The Governor has equally directed that October, November and December 2026 salaries be paid using the new CATA structure.
It is worth noting that the introduction of a new salary structure and payroll arrangement can present initial administrative challenges. For instance, when the Federal Government introduced the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for federal university staff, similar difficulties were experienced, with some affected staff reportedly travelling to Abuja to resolve payment-related issues.
Under the ongoing CATA implementation, variations in payments and delays have been reported among some staff, underscoring the need for the administrative process to be fully streamlined and outstanding discrepancies addressed.
Meanwhile, the University is expecting a National Universities Commission (NUC) visitation team later this month for the accreditation of some academic programmes. Failure to present the affected departments and programmes could have serious implications for the admission of new students into them.
The Vice Chancellor therefore emphasises the importance of restoring academic activities to enable the University meet its academic and accreditation obligations, while safeguarding the interests of staff and students.
With the Governor’s approval of CATA, the commencement of its implementation, the payment of September salaries and Management’s ongoing efforts to clear inherited obligations, the University expects ASUU to honour the resolution reached at its November 2 Congress and take the necessary steps towards suspending the strike.
A stable academic environment remains essential to the University’s continued development and the collective interests of its staff, students and other stakeholders.
– UNICROSS Media Team