By Terna Chikpa
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo chapter, has asked Governor Agbu Kefas to urgently implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU negotiated agreement to avert an industrial action at the university.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbaver, the union said the Taraba State Government’s failure to implement the agreement was a clear indication of neglect of lecturers and urged the governor to comply with the agreement without further delay.
Dr. Mbaver said the statement served as the ASUU-TSU chapter’s final warning to the state government, stressing that the union had run out of patience after repeated unfulfilled promises.
“Enough of empty promises is enough,” the statement read.
“We have once again been pushed to the edge by the failure of the Taraba State Government to honour agreements freely entered into with our union. We have considered it necessary to alert the public, parents, students, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, labour unions, and all lovers of education that our patience is exhausted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues before us are clear. They include the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU negotiated agreement, the continued refusal of the relevant authorities to implement the Consolidated Academic and Research Tools Allowance (CATA), Professorial Allowance, and the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
“These issues are not new, nor are they unreasonable. They have been discussed, negotiated, documented, and repeatedly brought before the state government through several engagements. Unfortunately, instead of taking concrete action, our union has been met with silence and neglect.
“The 2025 FGN-ASUU negotiated agreement was expected to address long-standing challenges affecting university education in Nigeria. These include the welfare of academic staff, funding of universities, revitalisation of the university system, improved conditions of service, and the overall strengthening of public universities.
“However, despite the understanding reached, the Taraba State Government has failed to implement the agreement. This failure is unacceptable, provocative, and dangerous to the future of Taraba State University.
“We view the continued failure to implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement as a profound disregard for the principles of collective bargaining. It also demonstrates a lack of commitment to the survival of TSU.
“ASUU-TSU is not asking for charity. The union is demanding what is rightfully due to its members. We demand respect for labour, fairness, and the full implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
“We therefore demand: (i) the immediate implementation of CATA; (ii) the immediate payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the non-implementation of legitimate entitlements; and (iii) respect for collective bargaining as a fundamental principle of industrial harmony.”
The union warned that it would have no option but to embark on an indefinite strike if its demands were not met within the shortest possible time.
