Academic activities at Taraba State University, Jalingo, have come to a complete stop following an indefinite strike declared by the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The strike, announced after a congress meeting on Thursday, has also led to the suspension of ongoing second-semester examinations.
Dr. Garba Mbave, the ASUU Chairperson for the university, addressed journalists, highlighting the critical issues behind the industrial action.
According to Dr. Mbave, the unresolved grievances include several financial and administrative challenges.
Among these are unpaid salaries, arrears from the 2022 nationwide ASUU strike, a lack of a functioning pension scheme, and the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
Other key concerns are the failure to implement the national minimum wage for university staff and the absence of a governing council for the university, which has hindered effective management.
Dr. Mbave also noted that a promised 35% salary increment for professors, along with proportional adjustments for other academic staff, remains unapproved.
“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,” Dr. Mbave stated.
Acknowledging the disruption caused by the strike, particularly for students in the middle of their exams, Dr. Mbave expressed regret but maintained that the action was necessary to address longstanding grievances..
