Cameroon’s university academic year, scheduled to begin on October 7, could be disrupted by an indefinite strike launched by the National Union of Higher Education Teachers (Synes) on September 3, 2026. The lecturers are demanding payment of 16 billion CFA francs in academic allowances, equivalent to nearly €24 million.
The strike has raised uncertainty over the start of the new academic year at the country’s public universities.
Synes is calling for the government to settle 16 billion CFA francs in outstanding academic bonuses owed to higher education teachers. The union has maintained its indefinite strike since September 3, with the dispute now threatening to affect the scheduled October 7 reopening.
The teachers’ demands concern academic allowances that have remained unpaid, according to the union.
The standoff comes as Cameroon prepares to welcome students back to university campuses across the country. If no agreement is reached, the strike could delay or disrupt lectures and other academic activities at the start of the new academic year.
For now, the key issue remains whether the government and the lecturers’ union can reach an agreement before October 7.
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