Taraba State University Workers Embark on Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Exams Suspended
Taraba State University workers, under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have embarked on an indefinite strike over unresolved issues, including unpaid salaries, lack of a functional pension scheme, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and the absence of a governing council.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Academic activities at Taraba State University, Jalingo, have been brought to an abrupt halt following an indefinite strike declared by the institution's chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The action has also led to the suspension of ongoing second-semester examinations.
The decision to strike was announced on Thursday after a congress meeting held by the union. Dr. Garba Mbave, the ASUU Chairperson at Taraba State University, cited numerous unresolved grievances as the basis for the industrial action.
Key among the issues raised are unpaid salaries, the non-existence of a functional pension scheme, outstanding salary arrears from the 2022 nationwide ASUU strike, and the lack of a governing council for the university. Other complaints include the non-implementation of the national minimum wage for university staff, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and the state government's failure to approve a 35% salary increment for professors and proportional adjustments for other academic staff.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Mbave expressed frustration over the lack of progress despite repeated attempts at dialogue with the university's management and the state government.
“We have made repeated attempts to resolve these issues through negotiation, but the government’s persistent neglect of our welfare has left us no choice but to take this step. Staff members cannot continue to work under these conditions,” he stated.
The union leader lamented the absence of a governing council, describing it as a significant barrier to resolving administrative and policy-related challenges.
While acknowledging the impact of the strike on students, particularly those in the midst of their exams, Dr. Mbave emphasized that the action was a last resort to demand better conditions for university staff.
“It is not our intention to disrupt examinations or leave students stranded, but this strike is the only viable option left to demand justice for our members,” he added.
The strike has sparked widespread frustration among students, who have called on the state government and university authorities to address the issues swiftly to allow academic activities to resume.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Taraba State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustine Godwin, proved unsuccessful as calls to her phone were not answered, and a text message sent to her line remained unacknowledged at the time of filing this report.
