Taraba varsity SSANU dissociates self from purported VC suspension

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo branch has denied knowledge of the purported meeting where the alleged suspension of the Vice-Chancellor and the dissolution of the governing council was said to have been decided.

Tribune Online reports that a Taraba-based local newspaper had earlier on Saturday, published a report alleging that Professor Sunday Paul Bako, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, was suspended by Governor Agbu Kefas.

According to the publication, the decision of the VC’s suspension was taken in a meeting where ASUU TSU, SSANU-TSU and the university governing council participated.

ALSO READ: Taraba varsity ASUU dissociates self from purported VC suspension

Meanwhile, SSANU TSU, in a swift reaction dissociated itself from the alleged meeting and asked the author of the publication to immediately retract, and tender Public apologies in two national dailies or face legal action.

The SSANU (TSU), chairperson, Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, in a statement, called on the general public to disregard the publication, described it as “falsehood”, a deliberate attempt to mischievously portray SSANU in an alleged unlawful act.

“SSANU TSU was not part of the alleged meeting that the purported decision of the VC’s suspension was taken as claimed by Taraba Truth and Facts newspaper. We are not aware of such development from anywhere, talk more of been a participant in the alleged meeting.

“To avoid being drag by legal action, SSANU demands for immediate retract of the publication, and a public apology in at least, two national dailies newspapers from the author.

“The publication by Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper on 21st of February 2026, alleging that representatives of SSANU were present at, or party to, a meeting where the purported suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, and the dissolution of the Governing Council were decided is falsehood. We demand Public apologies and immediate retract of the publication.

“SSANU-TSU, wish to unequivocally states that at no time was the Union invited to, nor did it participate in, any meeting with the Taraba State Government where such decisions were taken or discussed. Any report suggesting otherwise is false, misleading, malicious and capable of bringing the Union into disrepute,” the SSANU chairperson said.

Ajibauka on behalf of SSANU (TSU), explained that the establishment, governance, appointment, and removal of principal officers of Taraba State University are strictly governed by Law

“For the avoidance of doubt, the establishment, governance, appointment, and removal of principal officers of Taraba State University are strictly governed by Law No. 4 of 2008, which established the University,” Ajibauka said.

The union further stated that the issues presently under dispute with the Taraba State Government are clearly documented, and are longstanding.

“We wish to reiterates that our issues presently under dispute with the Taraba State Government are clear, documented, and longstanding. We would not entertain falsehood from mischief makers, bent to drag SSANU into an alleged unlawful act that is capable of negativity affecting the university.

“Our issues are clear. We urged governor Agbu Kefas to urgently act to avoid industrial disharmony.

“We demand that the 2024/2025 Appraisal Exercise of the Senior Administrative
and Technical staff that is long overdue be put on hold until our observations, positions/recommendations are considered for the interest of industrial harmony and growth of the university.

“SSANU-TSU, was denied membership and representation at the Committee for Review of the Conditions of Service, and the Guidelines for Appointments, Appraisal and Promotions of Senior Administrative and Technical Staff.

“We insist that our submissions of 8th July, and 15th September, 2025 were not
properly attended to as required. Putting CONTISS 12 which has been abolished in the University career progression for professionals and 8 years time in rank/when vacancy exist for progression from CONTISS 14-15 and other related issues are not acceptable.

“We demand for the payment of outstanding salaries/allowances. We demand for the outstanding arrears of salaries as agreed.

“We demand for immediate settlement of the unpaid full salaries of September 2022, the unpaid full salaries of October 2022, the withheld 28% of June, 2022 salary balance, the withheld 51% of November, 2022 salary balance, the withheld 44% of December, 2022 salary balance, and the Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA).

“The lack of payment of the remaining 87.1% of the total accumulated sum of
EAA be immediately consider,” Ajibauka stated.

The chairperson on behalf of the union, also lamented that retired SSANU-TSU members and the families of deceased co-workers were suffering for lack of pension after faithfully serving the university.

“It is disheartening that our retired SSANU-TSU members and the families of our deceased coworkers are suffering for lack of pension after serving the university faithfully. We call on the Taraba State Government and the University Management to speed-up the process of State-Defined Pension Scheme to save the life of our members who are gradually dying after a successful retirement from service of the State University,” he added.

SSANU, TSU called the Taraba state government and the university management to settle all the outstanding issues to avert the resumption of the total, comprehensive and Indefinite Strike action that was suspended on the 26th January, 2025.

“SSANU-TSU Jalingo Branch is kindly appealing to the Federal Government to speed-up action on the pending renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with SSANU for equity among the university-based unions to avert the breakdown of industrial harmony.

“We call on the Taraba state government and the university management to settle all outstanding issues to avert the resumption of the total, comprehensive and Indefinite Strike action that was suspended on the 26th January, 2025,” the union maintained.