By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter, has declared that it will no longer tolerate what it described as “empty promises” from Governor Agbu Kefas.
The union made the declaration during a press conference held on Tuesday, stating that “the time for silence is over,” and accusing the governor of failing to meet agreements reached with the union.
“We are done with your empty promises. The time for silence is over. The time for action is now,” the union warned.
Speaking at the briefing, the ASUU State Chairperson, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, disclosed that following the 2024 strike action—suspended on January 17, 2025, after prolonged and grueling negotiations—the Taraba State Government made several commitments which it has allegedly failed to honor.
“The Taraba State Government, through its repeated neglect and disdain for our rights, has pushed us to the brink, and we are done waiting for empty assurances. The government’s inability to adhere to timelines on Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and withheld salaries is a clear indication of neglect of academic staff,” he said.
Dr. Mbave recalled that one of the key outcomes of the strike suspension was the government’s commitment to pay a monthly sum of ₦50 million, beginning from February 2025, to address members’ grievances.
“However, after months of waiting and countless assurances, only one payment was made, and it was barely enough to address the hardship endured by our members. This is a betrayal of the highest order,” he added.
According to him, the government failed to follow through on the agreed monthly payments, leaving the promises unfulfilled.
“The timeline that was supposed to bring closure and relief to our members, who have been financially suffocated, has now become just another broken promise. We demand immediate, concrete, and binding action to settle these arrears. Enough is enough,” he stated.
The ASUU chairperson further disclosed that a directive issued by Governor Kefas in August 2025, instructing that all outstanding payments—including EAA and salary backlogs—be cleared before December 2025, was not implemented.
“That directive was meant to bring an end to the suffering of our members, but nothing has happened. It is now January 2026, and we are still waiting endlessly for a government that continues to ignore its obligations. The patience of our members is wearing thin,” Mbave said.
ASUU also described the state government’s attitude as “nonchalant,” lamenting that repeated letters to the offices of the Executive Governor, the Head of Service, and the Ministry of Tertiary Education had gone unanswered.
“These are not ordinary letters. They are appeals for justice, dignity of labour, and the future of education at Taraba State University. Yet, we have received no response, no official communication, and no sign of good faith,” the union said.
The union further raised concerns over the neglect of retired members and families of deceased lecturers, noting the absence of pension benefits and support.
“Retired members of ASUU-TSU and families of our deceased colleagues have been abandoned. There are no tangible efforts to address pension benefits for those who dedicated their lives to this institution. This is a shameful failure,” it stated.
ASUU warned that industrial harmony could collapse if the government continues to ignore its obligations.
“The patience of our members has reached its breaking point. The public must hold the government accountable. If industrial harmony collapses, it will be because the government failed to act,” the union declared.
