The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has issued a fresh strike threat following alleged failure of the state government to honour a Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed earlier in the year.
Chairman of the union, Dr Joshua Mbave Garba, stated this at a press conference in Jalingo on Thursday.
Garba said the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas had failed to implement the terms of the agreement signed on Jan. 17, 2025, which led to the suspension of an earlier industrial action in February.
According to him, a key component of the agreement was the monthly release of N50 million starting from February for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) to staff.
“To date, not a single payment has been made. This persistent breach of agreement is not only provocative but undermines the industrial peace we have upheld in the interest of the students,” he said.
The ASUU chairman described the situation as unacceptable, citing the financial hardship members were enduring while remaining committed to academic activities.
He said the union viewed the non-payment as a deliberate disregard for staff welfare and institutional stability.
Garba also expressed concern over the chronic underfunding of the university, which he said violated its enabling law.
He accused the state government of failing to make any tangible commitment to establishing a functional pension scheme for academic staff, describing the process so far as “mere bureaucratic formalities and empty promises.”
On the issue of salary arrears, Garba said the government had failed to convene a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for early February to draw up a roadmap for their clearance.
“A two-week ultimatum we issued, which expired on July 31, was completely ignored. The government’s silence is dangerous and sends the wrong message about its regard for agreements and the academic workforce,” he said.
Garba announced that the union had resolved to resume its suspended strike if the state government failed to urgently address the issues raised.
While acknowledging Governor Kefas’ efforts in expanding access to education through a free education policy, the union insisted that staff welfare must not be compromised.
“We are not saboteurs. We are nation builders. But we cannot continue to work under conditions where our welfare is neglected and our voices ignored,” he added.
The ASUU chairman called on the government to act swiftly to avoid disruption of academic activities at the university.
