No Lectures, Only PhD Defenses: SYNES Grips State Universities With Week-Long Strike

State university lecturers across Cameroon have entered a week-long warning strike to protest the prolonged non-payment of research allowances. Deeply disrupting academic activities at major institutions, including the University of Yaoundé 1.

Outstanding Allowances 
The industrial action, which began on June 15, 2026, and is scheduled to run through June 21, 2026, was called by the National Executive Bureau of the National Union of Teachers of Higher Education, BEN-SYNES. 
The union is firmly denouncing the government's failure to pay the Special Allocation for the modernization of research, spanning three consecutive terms. The fourth semester of 2025, and the first and second semesters of 2026. According to the union, this persistent backlog represents an "unacceptable precarization" of university educators.

High Compliance 
An internal evaluation report compiled by Prof. Zebaze Togouet Serge, the SYNES Coordinator for the University of Yaoundé 1, reveals that the strike order was massively observed during its first two days. Data collected on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, showed crushing compliance rates across several key establishments of the University of Yaounde I.

University Of Yaounde I Faculties, Schools 
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMSB): 96% compliance, with coordinators noting that colleagues remained highly enthusiastic. Faculty of Science (FS): 96% compliance, where out of 54 scheduled teaching units, only two classes were held. Faculty of Education Sciences (FSE): Stable at 70% compliance. And the National Advanced School of Engineering of Yaoundé (ENSPY): 50% compliance.

Exemptions 
The strike permits a singular exception: lecturers are allowed to participate exclusively in Doctorat/PhD defense panels. Prof. Zebaze Togouet Serge noted that university teachers remain determined to sustain the industrial action until their requested benefits are paid, especially given the quiet stance of their supervisory authority.

Earlier in a decision signed on May 7, 2026, the Ministry of Higher Education had officially announced that payments for the Special Account for the Modernization of University Research for the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year were already underway.
The press release, signed by the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, confirmed that funds were successfully mobilized by the Ministry of Finance to support State university teachers and researchers.

Key Details, Payment Schedule
The disbursement is being executed through two primary methods to ensure a smooth rollout:
Bank Transfers: Operations commenced on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Funds are being methodically deposited directly into the bank accounts where the concerned teachers' salaries are domiciled, following the schedule established by the Ministry of Finance.
Over-the-Counter Payments: For teachers-researchers receiving physical payments, disbursements began on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 12:00 PM onward. These payments are being processed at the Accounting Agency of the Special Account, located on the 10th floor of Ministerial Building No. 2, Door No. 1043.

Background Of The Special Allowance
This research allowance stems from an initiative enacted by Head of State, President Paul Biya, on April 8, 2009. Designed to foster heuristic governance, deepen fundamental and applied knowledge, and support national development, the allowance has been paid quarterly to active teacher-researchers across Cameroon's State Universities.
 

Fresh Instructions Expected 
As the strike proceeds toward its scheduled conclusion on June 21, 2026, SYNES has informed the university community that a fresh communication will be issued over the weekend to dictate the next steps of the corporate movement. If their demands are not met.

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