Union Secures Promises on Funding, Salaries, and Allowances
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter, has called off its strike, which began on December 5, 2024. The decision to suspend the industrial action was announced in a statement signed by the union’s Chairperson, Dr. Garba Joshua, in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Saturday.
The strike had been initiated over issues including inadequate university funding, unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), pension and gratuity shortfalls, salary arrears, lack of a governing council, and delays in minimum wage adjustments.
Dr. Joshua credited the resolution of the strike to the intervention of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, whose leadership helped facilitate negotiations. During discussions, the government pledged to:
- Enhance funding for the university in line with Taraba State Law No. 4 of 2008.
- Begin monthly disbursements of 5% toward clearing Earned Academic Allowance arrears, starting in February 2025, with an initial payment of 10%.
- Implement a state-defined pension scheme to ensure efficient payment of retirement benefits.
- Finalize a template to clear outstanding salary arrears by early February 2025.
- Constitute a governing council in compliance with statutory requirements.
- Regularize salary payments under the adjusted minimum wage structure.
The ASUU Chairperson thanked the Ministry of Tertiary Education, the university management, and the public for their patience during the strike. He also acknowledged the support of ASUU National and Zonal leadership, as well as the university congress, in resolving the impasse.
“With these resolutions and approval from ASUU National, the Taraba State University chapter has decided to suspend its strike action immediately,” the statement read.
The suspension of the strike paves the way for academic activities to resume, including the continuation of the second-semester examinations, which were interrupted.
Dr. Joshua reaffirmed the union’s commitment to fostering a conducive academic environment, emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration between stakeholders to address any future challenges.
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