Taraba varsity ASUU declares indefinite strike over unmet agreement

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has declared an indefinite strike over the failure of the state government to implement an agreed remuneration structure and pay outstanding salary arrears.

The union’s chairman, Dr Joshua Garba Mbave, announced the industrial action in a statement on Monday, saying it would take effect immediately from October 12, 2026.

ASUU-TSU said the strike was prompted by the government’s failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU remuneration agreement at the university and pay all accrued salary arrears from January 2026.

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The union also demanded the full implementation of the agreed remuneration structure.

According to Mbave, the union had engaged the Taraba State Government on the demands since February 2026, demonstrating patience and commitment to dialogue in the interest of industrial harmony.

He said the engagements led to the establishment of a verification committee to assess the existing salary structure and the level of implementation across the North-East.

The committee concluded its verification exercise and submitted its report on September 24, 2026.

Mbave said the union subsequently suspended its planned industrial action following the government’s appeal for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

However, he said the continued delay in implementing the agreement, despite the completion of the verification process, had left the union with no option but to embark on the strike.

“The continued delay in implementation despite the completion of these processes has compelled the Union to commence this industrial action,” the statement read.

The union stressed that the strike did not amount to a rejection of dialogue, adding that it remained open to meaningful engagement with the government and other relevant stakeholders.

It, however, insisted that any further discussions must be sincere, timely and directed towards achieving a definite resolution.

ASUU-TSU called on the state government to honour the processes already concluded, implement the agreed remuneration framework and settle all outstanding salary arrears.

The union also appealed to the public to understand its position, saying the action was aimed at securing fair treatment for university workers, protecting their dignity and ensuring that agreements reached in good faith were respected.