ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike at Taraba State University

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo chapter, has called on Governor Agbu Kefas to urgently implement the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU negotiated agreement to avert an industrial action at the institution.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the chapter chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, the union described the Taraba State Government's failure to honour the agreement as a clear sign of neglect toward university lecturers. The union urged the governor to take immediate steps to fulfil the agreement and address other outstanding welfare issues.

Dr. Mbave said the statement serves as ASUU-TSU's final warning to the state government, stressing that the union's patience has been exhausted after repeated unfulfilled promises.

"Enough of empty promises. We have once again been pushed to the edge by the failure of the Taraba State Government to honour agreements freely entered into with our union. We consider it necessary to alert the public, parents, students, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, labour unions, and all lovers of education that our patience has run out," the statement read.

According to the union, the unresolved issues include the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU negotiated agreement, the continued refusal to implement the Consolidated Academic and Allied Staff Allowance (CATA), Professorial Allowance, and the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

ASUU noted that these demands are neither new nor unreasonable, as they have been discussed, negotiated, documented, and repeatedly presented to the state government through several engagements.

"Rather than taking concrete action, the Taraba State Government has continued to respond with silence and neglect," the union stated.

The union explained that the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU agreement was designed to address long-standing challenges affecting university education in Nigeria, including improved staff welfare, increased funding, revitalisation of public universities, better conditions of service, and the overall strengthening of the university system.

It described the state's failure to implement the agreement as unacceptable, provocative, and a threat to the future of Taraba State University.

"We view the continued refusal to implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement as a blatant disregard for the principles of collective bargaining. It also reflects a lack of commitment to the survival and growth of Taraba State University," the statement added.

The union emphasised that it is not seeking charity but demanding the implementation of legally agreed entitlements for its members.

"We demand respect for labour, fairness, and the full implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement," the union said.

ASUU-TSU specifically demanded the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Academic and Allied Staff Allowance (CATA), payment of all outstanding arrears arising from unpaid entitlements, and respect for collective bargaining as a fundamental principle of industrial harmony.

The union warned that failure by the Taraba State Government to address its demands within the shortest possible time would leave it with no option but to embark on an indefinite strike.