The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has issued a fresh warning to the state government, threatening to resume a previously suspended strike over alleged violations of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed earlier this year.
Speaking during a press conference in Jalingo on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, ASUU TSU Chairman, Dr. Joshua Mbave Garba, accused the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas of failing to implement key aspects of the agreement reached with the union on January 17, 2025—a deal which had prompted the suspension of the union’s strike in February.
Dr. Mbave noted that the agreement included a monthly payment of N50 million starting from February 2025 for the settlement of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). However, he revealed that no such payments have been made to date.
“Despite enduring extreme hardship, showing commendable restraint, and maintaining our dedication to academic progress, our patience has been repeatedly tested,” Dr. Mbave stated.
“This continued breach of trust and failure of commitment is a deliberate provocation that undermines the industrial peace we have maintained.”
The union also decried what it described as chronic underfunding of the university, which it said violates the institution’s enabling laws. It further criticized the state government’s failure to establish a functional pension scheme for academic staff, stating that current efforts amounted to “bureaucratic formalities and empty promises,” lacking clear financial commitments or an implementation timeline.
ASUU expressed additional frustration over the government’s failure to convene a long-promised stakeholders’ meeting meant to develop a roadmap for settling salary arrears. The meeting, originally scheduled for early February, never held. A two-week ultimatum issued by the union, which expired on July 31, reportedly received no response from the state government.
“This silence is deafening and unacceptable. It sends a dangerous signal that agreements with ASUU are not binding and that the academic workforce is disposable,” Dr. Mbave added.
Following extensive deliberations, the union has resolved to resume its suspended strike if the state government fails to urgently address the unresolved issues.
While acknowledging Governor Kefas’ commitment to promoting access to education, especially through the implementation of free education policies, ASUU insisted that such initiatives must not come at the expense of staff welfare.
“We are not saboteurs or enemies of progress. We are nation builders and custodians of knowledge,” Dr. Mbave concluded. “But we cannot continue to function in an environment where our welfare is neglected, our rights trampled upon, and our voices ignored.”