Patience Gone, Taraba University Faces Strike Warning

…writes Gov Kefas The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), representing the Taraba State University branch, has cautioned Governor ...

…writes Gov Kefas

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), representing the Taraba State University branch, has cautioned Governor Agbu Kefas and the university administration to fulfill their commitments with the union promptly, or face potential industrial action.

In a statement issued on Thursday, ASUU president Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave stated that the union has exhausted its patience following months of discussions, noting that it will have no alternative but to pursue "lawful industrial actions permitted under Nigeria's labor laws" if there are no developments in the near future.

The declaration characterized the state government's ongoing failure to establish a binding contract as a "Violation of Confidence," highlighting that the issue might interfere with the university's academic schedule.

The text stated in part: “Unless these matters are tackled right away and firmly. The Union will have no choice but to initiate all legal industrial actions permitted under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Anything less, is a call for a crisis that the Government itself is responsible for.”

It stated: “Emerging from a meeting held on 19th November 2025, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University Branch (ASUU-TSU), feels obligated to inform the public, the media, civil society, and all relevant parties that the Taraba State Government has kept ignoring binding agreements, overlooking clear instructions from the Governor, and neglecting the well-being of academic staff, thus putting at risk the quality and long-term viability of university education in the state.”

Despite several months of discussion, ongoing promises, and various high-level orders, the Government's continued lack of action has now become unacceptable and concerning.

ASUU stated that the government's failure to fulfill promises made in August 2025 indicates a "Disturbing Breach of Trust." It pointed out that the governor had pledged that all unpaid salaries for academic staff would be settled before December 2025, but "so far, nothing has been paid." The union claimed this delay is "unjustifiable" and goes against agreements made "in good faith."

The statement also drew attention to the outstanding balance of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), amounting to ₦1.7 billion. While the government committed to disbursing ₦50 million each month beginning in February 2025 as part of a phased payment schedule, ASUU mentioned that only one installment was provided in July 2025.

It mentioned that the governor instructed the Commissioner of Finance in August 2025 to submit a plan for settling the EAA arrears, but "the instruction was overlooked. No proposal, no contact, and no steps taken." ASUU referred to this as "official neglect, administrative interference, and disregard for the Governor's position and the University's future."

During the same meeting, the governor instructed the Head of Service to present a report on creating a working pension scheme for staff at Taraba State University within seven days. ASUU mentioned that this directive was also not followed through.

As per the union, not setting up the pension plan results in employees lacking retirement stability and puts the university at risk for future challenges.

This degree of neglect is intolerable within any contemporary educational framework," the statement mentioned. It highlighted that ASUU-TSU has shown self-control and opted for discussion, but that "discussion lacking genuine intent has now been completely depleted.

The union stated that the government will be held accountable for any resulting disruptions, and emphasized that it will not ignore "growing frustration, unfulfilled commitments, and repeated breaches of agreements."

It noted that the continuous non-payment of salaries, the refusal to settle the ₦1.7 billion Earned Academic Allowance arrears, and complete disregard for the pension scheme, despite clear instructions from the Governor, reflect not only administrative failure but a conscious neglect of duty.

The union stated that no university system can operate effectively in these circumstances and cautioned that the well-being of employees, existing contracts, and the institution's future are in danger.

"The credibility of public university education is at risk. If these problems are not promptly and firmly resolved, the Union will have no choice but to implement all legal industrial actions permitted under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," the statement concluded.

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