The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has issued a fresh warning to the state government, threatening to resume its earlier suspended strike over an alleged breach of agreement.
At a press conference held in Jalingo on Tuesday, ASUU Chairman, Dr. Joshua Mbave Garba, accused the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas of failing to honour the Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed on January 17, 2025. The agreement, which led to the suspension of the union’s strike in February, included a monthly disbursement of ₦50 million from February for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
Dr. Mbave revealed that no payment has been made to date, despite the union’s patience and commitment to academic progress.
“Despite enduring extreme hardship, showing commendable restraint, and maintaining our dedication to academic progress, our patience has been repeatedly tested,” he said.
ASUU further accused the state government of chronic underfunding of the university, describing it as a violation of the institution’s enabling law. The union also criticised the government’s failure to fulfil its promise to establish a functional pension scheme for academic staff, labelling previous commitments as “bureaucratic formalities and empty promises.”
Dr. Mbave expressed disappointment over the state government’s failure to convene a scheduled stakeholders’ meeting in February to discuss a roadmap for clearing outstanding salary arrears. He noted that a two-week ultimatum issued by the union, which expired on July 31, was met with silence.
“This silence is deafening and unacceptable. It sends a dangerous signal that agreements with ASUU are not binding and that the academic workforce is disposable,” he said.
While commending Governor Kefas for promoting access to education through the free education policy, the union stressed that staff welfare must not be sidelined.
“We are not saboteurs or enemies of progress. We are nation builders and custodians of knowledge. But we cannot continue to function in an environment where our welfare is neglected, our rights trampled upon, and our voices ignored,” the ASUU chairman added.
ASUU has vowed to resume its strike if the government fails to address the unresolved issues urgently.
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