Fresh Strike Looms at Taraba State University as ASUU Accuses Government of Broken Promises

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, is threatening to resume a suspended strike over what it calls a blatant breach of agreement by the state government.

At a press briefing held Tuesday in Jalingo, ASUU Chairman Dr. Joshua Mbave Garba expressed the union’s frustration with Governor Agbu Kefas’ administration, accusing it of failing to honor a Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed earlier this year. The MoA was the basis on which ASUU suspended its strike in February 2025.

One of the key terms of the agreement was the monthly release of ₦50 million starting in February to settle Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). But according to Dr. Mbave, not a single payment has been made.

“Despite the hardship we face, we’ve remained committed to our duties. But this continued disregard for our welfare is unacceptable,” he said. “The government’s inaction is not just disappointing—it’s a deliberate provocation that threatens the peace we’ve tried to maintain.”

ASUU also raised alarm over the chronic underfunding of Taraba State University, calling it a violation of the laws that established the institution.

In addition, the union criticized the government for failing to put in place a functional pension scheme for academic staff, describing its efforts so far as mere “bureaucratic formalities” with no financial backing or clear implementation timeline.

Even more worrying, ASUU noted that the state government failed to hold a planned stakeholders’ meeting in February to chart a way forward on clearing salary arrears. A two-week ultimatum issued by the union—set to expire on July 31—was completely ignored.

“The silence from the government is loud and troubling. It sends the message that agreements with ASUU don’t matter, and that our contributions are disposable,” Mbave stated.

While acknowledging Governor Kefas’s efforts to expand access to education—especially through the introduction of a free education policy—ASUU insists that staff welfare cannot be sidelined.

“We are not enemies of progress. We are educators and nation builders,” said Mbave. “But we can’t keep working under these harsh conditions where our rights are ignored and our voices silenced.”

ASUU has now warned that if the government does not act urgently to address these concerns, the union will have no choice but to resume its previously suspended strike.