From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter, has threatened to resume its suspended indefinite strike action over the failure of the state government to implement or show commitment towards the implementation of the Memorandum of Action reached between the union and the government in January.
Chairperson of the union, Comrade Dr Garba Mbave Joshua, disclosed this in Jalingo on Wednesday at a press briefing held after the union congress at the ASUU Hall, TSU Jalingo.
He said that the briefing became imperative to draw public attention to the continued breach of trust on the part of the state government and its failure of commitment, which undermines the industrial peace the union upheld for several months to demonstrate goodwill.
The statement reads in part: “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. It is now evident that our goodwill is being misconstrued as weakness.
“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 (N50,000,000.00) 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.
“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. To 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.
“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.”
The union appreciates the state government for the free education initiative and reassured the state governor that they are not saboteurs but custodians of knowledge, nation builders, and partners in progress whose welfare should also be taken seriously.
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