The Academic Staff Union of Universities has decided to suspend the planned indefinite strike in Akwa Ibom State just 24 hours after initiating the action.

The strike was called for various reasons, including poor funding, staff welfare, and the non-implementation of certain demands.

The decision to suspend the strike was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umo Eno, Mr. Ekerete Udoh.

The union reached this resolution following the intervention of Governor Eno, who addressed some of their concerns.

The governor held a meeting with a cross-section of Labour leaders from Akwa Ibom State University at Government House, Uyo.

During the meeting, he made commitments to address key issues, including offsetting the 13th-month salary bonus, providing a three-month palliative, and initiating the construction of strategic roads within the main campus at Ikot Akpaden.

Expressing his commitment to the welfare of the university employees, the governor urged the Labour leaders to collaborate with the government to deliver democratic dividends to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

He emphasized the importance of the university and advised its management to utilize internally generated revenue for specific tasks, assuring the regular payment of monthly subventions.

The Chairperson of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade (Elder) Sunny James, Chairperson of ASUU, AKSU chapter, Dr. Inyang Udosen, and others, led the ASUU leaders in commending the Governor for being “labour-friendly” and pledged to call off the planned strike.

“We thank the governor for being a labour-friendly governor and for promising to address some of the contending issues.

We will no longer continue with our planned strike since the governor is willing to address a number of the contentious issues,” the statement noted.

The grievances of the workers ranged from the denial of government packages during the yuletide season to the non-implementation of petrol subsidy removal palliatives, among other issues affecting the university’s academic environment and the welfare of its workers.