Union accuses government of delaying agreed salary adjustments, demands payment of arrears dating back to January 2026

By Abraham Maina Joda

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) Chapter, has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike, effective Monday, 12 October 2026, over the delayed implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU remuneration agreement and the non-payment of outstanding salary arrears.

In a press release dated 12 October 2026, the union outlined two major demands: the immediate implementation of the agreed remuneration structure at Taraba State University and the payment of all accrued salary arrears from January 2026 until the agreement is fully implemented.

ASUU-TSU stated that it had engaged the Taraba State Government on the matter since February 2026. These engagements reportedly led to the establishment of a verification committee to assess the existing salary structure and the level of implementation across the North-East.

According to the union, the verification exercise was concluded, and its report was presented on 24 September 2026. The union also disclosed that it had suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal for additional time from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of industrial harmony.

However, citing continued delays despite the completion of the verification process, the union said it had been compelled to embark on the indefinite strike.

The union stressed that the industrial action was not a rejection of dialogue and expressed its readiness to engage the government in meaningful negotiations, provided such engagements were sincere, timely and capable of producing a definite resolution.

ASUU-TSU called on the state government to honour the processes already concluded, implement the agreed remuneration framework and settle all outstanding arrears.

The statement was signed by Dr. Garba Mbave Joshua, Chairperson of ASUU-TSU, on behalf of the union’s congress.

ANALYSIS: A TEST OF GOVERNMENT-UNION NEGOTIATIONS

The strike presents a fresh challenge to industrial relations and academic stability at Taraba State University. With the union claiming that verification has been completed and its report presented, the key question is why implementation remains outstanding.

For students, prolonged industrial action could disrupt lectures, examinations and academic calendars. For the government, the immediate challenge is to clarify the status of the agreement, explain any outstanding implementation issues and establish a credible timeline for resolving the dispute.

A prompt, transparent response from the state government, backed by concrete steps towards implementation and payment of verified arrears, could help restore confidence and prevent a prolonged shutdown.

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