Taraba varsity ASUU threatens strike action over breach of trust

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University, Jalingo, has threatened to embark on a strike action if the state government fails to meet their earlier demands within the shortest time.

The Union described the state government’s failure to honour the earlier agreement as a breach of trust on the part of Governor Agbu Kefas, stating that the action has undermined the industrial peace the Union had painstakingly upheld over the months.

Dr Joshua Mbave Garba, the ASUU Chairman, disclosed during a press conference in Jalingo that Governor Agbu Kefas has failed to uphold the agreement earlier reached with the Union, which necessitated the suspension of the Union’s strike action earlier this year.

According to Dr Mbave, no single payment has been effected in respect of the 17th January 2025 Memorandum of Action (MoA) that was reached between the Taraba State Government and ASUU (TSU), among other commitments, which included the commencement of monthly disbursements of Fifty Million Naira (₦50,000,000.00) towards the settlement of accrued Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), effective February 2025.

“Despite enduring extreme hardship, demonstrating commendable restraint, and maintaining our unwavering dedication to the ideals of responsible engagement, the collective patience of our Union has been repeatedly tested.

“The continued breach of trust and failure of commitment by the Taraba State Government, which have undermined the industrial peace we have painstakingly upheld over the past months, is a deliberate test of the Union’s industrial action, as it is now clear that our goodwill is being misconstrued as weakness.

“The University is underfunded in accordance with the provisions of the law establishing it, thereby undermining its effective operation and institutional stability. It is on record that, on 17th January 2025, a Memorandum of Action (MoA) was reached between the Taraba State Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) Branch, which, among other commitments, included the commencement of monthly disbursements of Fifty Million Naira (₦50,000,000.00) towards the settlement of accrued Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), effective February 2025.

“It is profoundly regrettable that, as of today, not a single payment has been effected. This deliberate non-compliance constitutes a grave violation of the agreement and reflects a government posture that is either apathetic, insincere, or both.

“With regard to staff pensions, only bureaucratic formalities and empty promises have been presented. There has been no substantial progress, no verifiable financial commitment, and no implementation timeline for a functional pension structure. We ask, in all earnestness, are our members not entitled to retire with dignity after a lifetime of meritorious service? This protracted inaction constitutes an egregious disregard for the welfare and future of academic staff.

“Another deeply troubling issue is the failure to convene the agreed stakeholders’ meeting in the first week of February 2025 to develop a clear roadmap for offsetting outstanding salary arrears. Till date, this meeting has not been held, and our members who continue to serve the University under extremely challenging circumstances remain unpaid. No official communication or explanation has been offered. This silence is both deafening and unacceptable,” Mbave expressed.

Dr Mbave also said a two-week ultimatum was earlier issued in respect of the aforementioned, but the government has neither reached out for dialogue nor issued a public response.

“It is important to recall that a two-week ultimatum was issued by the Union, which expired at midnight on Thursday, 31st July 2025. The government has neither reached out for dialogue nor issued a public response. This continued indifference sends a dangerous message that agreements with ASUU are non-binding and that the academic workforce is disposable.

“The Congress of ASUU, Taraba State University Branch, has, after extensive deliberation, resolved to resume the previously suspended strike action should the government fail to take urgent and concrete steps to address the festering issues enumerated.

“While we sincerely appreciate the Executive Governor of Taraba State for his unwavering commitment to education, particularly through the implementation of free education across the state, we must stress here that we are not saboteurs, nor are we opponents of progress. We are nation-builders, mentors, and custodians of knowledge. However, we shall not continue to operate in an environment where our welfare is neglected, our rights trampled upon, and our voices ignored.

“The Union hereby calls on His Excellency, Governor Dr Agbu Kefas, to intervene without further delay and take decisive steps toward addressing the lingering issues in order to safeguard academic harmony and institutional stability at Taraba State University.

“We wish to caution here that the continued neglect of these pressing issues will only lead to avoidable disruption of academic activities,” the Union threatened.

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