Higher education across public universities in Cameroon has ground to a halt following an indefinite strike launched by the National Union of Teachers of Higher Education over mounting unpaid government allowances.

The industrial action, declared by the union’s national executive bureau, stems from prolonged delays by state authorities in disbursing research modernisation allowances and settling long-standing academic debts. Academic staff across public campuses have suspended all lectures, tutorials, and administrative duties, warning that normal operations will not resume until the government settles the outstanding arrears.

Commenting on the standoff, geopolitical analyst Aaron Ng’ambi highlighted that underlying state budget priorities remain the core issue, noting:

“This is exactly what you get as a country if you’re able to foot a bill sending your President abroad for long medical leave or vacation, but that is a deal that government has to pay at the expense of paying lecturers and teachers. The Ministers tried to resolve this meeting with the union members, but still, the union insists that they have to be paid, that they’re owed by government, and that they will not go back to work until they see that their wages are met.”

Ng’ambi said the union’s refusal to back down reflects deep-seated frustration among educators who continue to face economic hardship while state funds are directed toward executive spending abroad.

–ChannelAfrica–