The Taraba State Government has released ₦500 million to Taraba State University to clear outstanding salary arrears and stabilise the institution.
This is according to a statement by Mike Dio Jen, Commissioner for Tertiary Education in the state.
Jen said the latest ₦300 million approved by Gov. Agbu Kefas was in addition to the ₦200 million earlier released, bringing the total intervention to ₦500 million within a short period.
He explained that the current administration inherited salary arrears exceeding ₦4 billion, but had already committed over ₦1 billion towards settling the backlog.
The commissioner noted that the government had sustained engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), TSU chapter, adding that most of the union’s demands had been addressed.
According to him, the governor has consistently prioritised the education sector, especially in improving staff welfare and infrastructure at the university.
Jen said the institution’s monthly wage bill rose from about ₦300 million to ₦700 million following the implementation of the new minimum wage.
He added that the state government had executed key projects at the university, including the construction of female and Nakowa hostels, as well as renovation works valued at over ₦2 billion.
The commissioner further disclosed that over ₦250 million had been approved to support accreditation of academic programmes at the institution.
