Concerns Mount as Three Lecturers Die at Taraba State University Within 48 Hours
Three lecturers from Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, including a professor, a PhD holder, and a lecturer, tragically passed away within 48 hours, sparking concerns among faculty members. The deceased include Professor Akporido Samuel, who collapsed in his office; Dr. Kiliobas Sha’a, who succumbed to high blood pressure at home; and Mr. Ibrahim Saleh Bali, who died after battling a prolonged illness.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Faculty members at Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, have expressed deep concerns following the sudden deaths of three of their colleagues, including a professor, a PhD holder, and a lecturer, within a span of 48 hours.
The late academics include Professor Akporido Samuel, a former head of the Department of Chemical Sciences; Dr. Kiliobas Sha’a, a former head of the Department of Biological Sciences; and Mr. Ibrahim Saleh Bali, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations.
According to reports, Professor Samuel tragically collapsed and died in his office on Thursday. Dr. Sha’a reportedly succumbed to high blood pressure at home during the night, while Mr. Bali passed away at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo after battling a prolonged illness.
Sources revealed that Mr. Bali had sold most of his possessions to fund his medical treatment before university officials facilitated his return to his village, where he eventually passed away.
The circumstances of their deaths have sparked fears among other faculty members, who cite ongoing financial hardships and poor working conditions as contributing factors to their colleagues’ untimely demises.
"Their deaths remind us of the financial and emotional struggles we are enduring. It’s a grim reality that this could happen to any of us," said one lecturer, who requested anonymity. "We urge the government and university authorities to address our demands. The hardship is becoming unbearable."
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman at TSU, Dr. Mbave Joshua, echoed these sentiments. Speaking to journalists, he highlighted the dire financial and working conditions faced by lecturers at the institution.
Dr. Joshua appealed for urgent intervention to improve the welfare of university staff, emphasizing that many are overburdened by the economic strain, which he believes is affecting both their health and productivity.
The tragic incidents have sparked calls for immediate government action to address the concerns of TSU faculty and ensure better support systems for educators across the state.
