Gombe State University’s Academic Staff Union of Universities branch has embarked on an indefinite strike, marking a historic first in the institution’s 20-year history. The strike comes as a result of the state government’s failure to address the union’s pressing demands.
At the forefront of the union’s concerns are the non-implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Action, inadequate funding for the university, and the non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) spanning from 2015 to 2022. Furthermore, the union is seeking the institutionalization of training and sponsorship for academic staff pursuing higher degrees.
Dr. Suleiman Jauro, Chairman of the ASUU branch, expressed the union’s frustration, stating that despite their efforts to seek amicable resolutions through interventions from esteemed personalities, the government’s neglect has left them with no alternative but to take drastic action.
“The government’s refusal to address our demands has led to a situation where our members have endured debilitating working conditions for far too long,” Dr. Jauro lamented. “We appeal to students and parents to understand our constraints and urge them to pressure the government to do the needful.”
The strike action is a last resort for the union, which has sought to engage the government in constructive dialogue to resolve the pressing issues affecting the university’s academic staff and, by extension, the students.
