Gombe Colleges, Polytechnic Workers Begin 14-Day Strike Over Outstanding Entitlements

Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions has commenced a two-week warning strike over the alleged failure of the state government to implement and pay outstanding staff welfare entitlements.

The union, comprising the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, said the strike commenced at midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday following a joint meeting of the unions.

The unions had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government on August 17, demanding action on what they described as outstanding welfare issues affecting workers in public tertiary institutions across the state.

According to the communiqué, “the ultimatum expired on Monday, 31st August 2026. Regrettably, as at the expiration of the ultimatum, the Union has not received tangible, concrete and satisfactory feedback or demonstrable action capable of resolving the issues raised.”

The unions said they were compelled to commence the warning strike after the government allegedly failed to provide satisfactory responses to their demands.

“Having exhausted the fourteen (14) days ultimatum without receiving satisfactory and tangible action from Government, JOUGTIN hereby declares fourteen (14) days warning strike, commencing with effect from 12:00 midnight on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026,” the statement read.

The unions warned that the industrial action could be escalated if the government failed to address the outstanding issues within the two-week period.

“For the avoidance of doubt, should there be no tangible and satisfactory feedback, concrete commitment, or demonstrable implementation of the outstanding demands by the end of the fourteen (14) days warning strike, the Union shall have no alternative but to commence an indefinite strike action thereafter, without further notice,” the unions stated.

JOUGTIN, however, said it remained open to negotiations with the government, stressing that it hoped the warning strike would lead to a resolution of the dispute.

“The Union remains willing to engage with Government in good faith and sincerely hopes that this warning strike will provide the opportunity for meaningful intervention and a mutually acceptable resolution of the issues,” it said.

The unions urged the state government to urgently intervene in the dispute in the interest of industrial harmony and the education sector.

“We therefore respectfully urge the Government to treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves in the interest of industrial peace, staff welfare and the continued effective functioning of tertiary education in Gombe State,” the communiqué added.

The statement was signed by representatives of the unions, including Salau Lanre of COEASU, Umar Ibrahim Usman of COEASU, Umar Joshua of ASUP, Pisaghi A. Galmaka of SSUCOEN, Amos Y. Moda of SSANIP, and representatives of NASU from the affected institutions.

The affected institutions include the College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo; and College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada.