Gombe State Tertiary Institutions Shut Down as Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

JOUGTIN has declared an indefinite strike across four Gombe State tertiary institutions over unpaid salary adjustments, allowances and staff welfare demands.

The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN) has announced an indefinite strike across four public tertiary institutions in the state from Tuesday, October 20, over unresolved salary adjustments, unpaid allowances and other staff welfare demands.

The unions said the industrial action would commence at midnight following the expiration of a one-month window granted to the Gombe State Government to address their grievances without any concrete and verifiable commitments.

In a communiqué dated October 19, 2026, JOUGTIN said the decision followed unsuccessful negotiations with the government, including a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Education on Saturday, October 17.

The union said the government had requested additional time to resolve the dispute but explained that its leadership could not grant another extension without the approval of the constituent unions’ congresses.

According to the statement, the congresses had unanimously mandated the leadership to commence an indefinite strike if the government failed to resolve the outstanding demands within the agreed period.

The dispute affects staff of the College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo; and College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada.

JOUGTIN said its demands include the implementation of the N30,000 and N70,000 national minimum wage provisions and consequential adjustments, approved 25 and 35 per cent CONPCASS/CONTISS salary adjustments, and the 2024 salary structure.

The unions are also demanding payment of outstanding minimum wage-related salary adjustments, wage awards and palliatives introduced following the removal of fuel subsidy, as well as annual increments allegedly outstanding for more than eight years.

Other demands include the implementation of approved CATA and CONTTA allowances for staff of public tertiary institutions.

The unions had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum in August before embarking on a two-week warning strike from September 2. They suspended plans for an indefinite strike after the government appealed for a one-month window for further negotiations.

JOUGTIN said it accepted the extension in good faith to preserve industrial harmony but regretted that the agreed period expired without a satisfactory resolution.

While directing members to remain peaceful and disciplined throughout the strike, the unions expressed readiness to resume negotiations if the government presented concrete commitments and a credible plan to resolve the dispute.

The unions appealed to the government to urgently address the demands in the interest of staff welfare, students and the stability of tertiary education in Gombe State.