The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University Branch (ASUU-PLASU), on Tuesday, 26th August, staged a protest at the university campus in Bokkos, warning of an imminent industrial action if both national and local grievances remain unaddressed.
Members of the union carried placards with inscriptions such as “Fulfill the ASUU-PLASU/State Government Signed Agreement,” “Retirement is Not a Death Sentence,” “We Demand Immediate Enrollment into the State Health Insurance Scheme,” and “Hold Government Responsible If ASUU Proceeds on Strike.”
Speaking during the rally, ASUU-PLASU Chairman, Dr. Monday Hassan Zitta, said the protest was triggered by both the failure of government to implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and local issues peculiar to Plateau State University.
“Across campuses in this country, our members feel forgotten, shamed, and demoralized by governments that refuse to respect collective bargaining,” Zitta declared. “Lecturers are promoted, but cash backing is withheld with impunity. They are punished for rejecting corruption-prone systems like IPPIS, and yet expected to produce quality graduates.”
He emphasised that the Plateau State University branch is particularly concerned with the mainstreaming of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), which he said management handled in bad faith.
“We had agreed that the status quo be maintained while clarifications were sought from our national body,” he explained. “Shockingly, management went ahead and implemented payments using a disputed template it claimed came from the NUC. This is not only demoralizing but a clear attempt to plunge this university into industrial disharmony.”
Dr. Zitta stressed that the union has always been open to dialogue but will not accept disregard for agreements. “We insist that the N20 million monthly provision earlier agreed upon with the Plateau State Government remains the standard. Anything less is a breach of trust.”
Other Local Concerns
Beyond EAA, Zitta listed unresolved matters including clarification on pension deductions, gratuity fund management, remuneration for postgraduate programmes, staff quarters, health insurance, power supply, and provision of buses for staff mobility.
“Our position is simple: we want a stable university system,” he said. “But that stability cannot come when the welfare of academics is neglected and agreements dishonored.”
ASUU National Backs Plateau Protest
In solidarity, the National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, commended the turnout in Plateau, warning government to avert another strike.
“ASUU has one charter—whether in state or federal universities, an injury to one is an injury to all,” Piwuna said. “The turnout here shows that Plateau is ready to move. But we do not want a fight; we want engagement. Still, if government refuses, we are prepared to act.”
Piwuna, while acknowledging progress by the university administration also commended ASUU-PLASU for highlighting its local issues, particularly the EAA controversy. “We thank PLASU management for starting the mainstreaming of allowances, but it must be done with the correct template, and we expect it to be used. We appreciate the fence around this campus, but we demand more. Our fight is not against universities—it is for their survival.” he stated.
He stressed that the 2009 agreement remained at the heart of ASUU’s demands. “This one document has been on the table for 15 years, renegotiated by government’s own committees, yet left unimplemented. If education is expensive, try ignorance—Nigeria has tried ignorance, and it has produced insecurity, poverty, and unemployment. Government must choose funding education over perpetuating ignorance.”
PLASU VC Joins the Protest
In a rare gesture, the Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Professor Shadrack Gaya Best, joined the protest, holding placards alongside union members. His presence was warmly acknowledged by both the branch and national leadership.
Addressing the gathering, the VC said: “Every vice chancellor has been a member of ASUU. Our relationship must be based on mutual respect and engagement. At Plateau State University, we do not sit on anything that belongs to our staff. We only facilitate, not obstruct.”
He urged both the state and federal governments to honour agreements to prevent future crises. “It need not be turbulent,” he said. “With dialogue and sincerity, we can create a stable future for our universities.”
Responding to the VC’s presence, Dr. Zitta commended him for maintaining regular payments and settling non-academic allowances despite the pending issues.
“Since his assumption of office, the Vice Chancellor has been in synergy with us. Salaries are paid as promised on the 25th, and outstanding non-academic allowances have been cleared except for the November wage. While we still have issues to resolve, we appreciate him for standing with us today,” Zitta said.
A Warning to Government
Concluding, Zitta reiterated that the Plateau branch stands firmly with the national struggle while demanding solutions to its local problems.
“Let it be clear: if agreements are not honoured, another strike is inevitable. We cannot continue to teach on empty stomachs, or allow this university to be undermined. The time to act is now.”
