By Terna Chikpa
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University (ASUU-TSU), has questioned the capacity of the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mike Dio Jen, to manage the industrial dispute between the union and the state government.
Reacting to the commissioner’s description of the ongoing strike at the university as unconstitutional and illegal, the union described his comments as disheartening, saying they raised questions about his capacity to discharge his responsibilities as the principal government representative in the dispute.
In a statement signed by the ASUU-TSU Chairman, Dr Joshua Garba Mbave, the union said the commissioner’s remarks amounted to a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the circumstances surrounding the strike and pressure it into abandoning its legitimate demands.
The union urged the commissioner to consider the circumstances that led to the industrial action and recognise that its position was based on decisions reached by its national leadership and the need to secure the implementation of agreements reached with the government.
It added that the situation required greater understanding, sincerity and renewed commitment to dialogue rather than public statements capable of aggravating an already delicate situation.
The statement read, “ASUU-TSU’s attention has been drawn to statements attributed to the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, characterising the ongoing industrial action as unconstitutional and illegal.
“The union rejects this characterisation as misleading, unwarranted and regrettable. It constitutes an apparent attempt to intimidate and discredit the union and to coerce it into abandoning its lawful struggle for the implementation of outstanding agreements with the government.
“It is imperative to place on record that the Honourable Commissioner was duly furnished with the resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, passed at its meeting held in Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026, which mandated all branches yet to secure the implementation of the 2025 Agreement to embark on appropriate industrial action.
“The action is, therefore, neither a unilateral decision of the branch nor one taken without due recourse to the established structures and directives of the union.
“Furthermore, following the issuance of successive ultimatums, several meetings were held with the relevant authorities in a deliberate effort to resolve the dispute through dialogue and forestall escalation.
“At the conclusion of those engagements, a report was submitted for onward presentation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, for consideration and approval.
“Regrettably, the commitments made were not translated into action or outcome. It is, accordingly, incomprehensible that an official who was fully apprised of the sequence of events, the union’s resolutions and the commitments made during the negotiations should now publicly describe the union’s action as unconstitutional and illegal.
“Such conduct raises grave questions as to either the commissioner’s capacity to discharge his responsibilities as the principal government interface in this matter or a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the circumstances and pressure the union into abandoning its legitimate demands.
“The commissioner cannot participate in the negotiation process, fail to secure the requisite government intervention and thereafter portray the union as the obstacle to industrial harmony. Such a posture is unfair to the union and inimical to the search for a lasting resolution.”
The union, however, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his administration’s interventions towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff and sustaining stability at the university.
The statement added, “ASUU-TSU records its appreciation to His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas, for the interventions his administration has made towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff and sustaining the stability of the university.
“The governor’s visit to the university evinces a readiness to resolve the present dispute peacefully, while his further assurance that all entitlements will be paid as those of other universities signifies a commitment to fairness and good faith.
“In particular, the union acknowledges the commencement of pension payments to retired colleagues; the sustained and full payment of monthly salaries; the fulfilment of the undertaking to release N100 million monthly towards liquidating the accumulated Earned Academic Allowance (EAA); and the mainstreaming of EAA into the monthly salary structure of academic staff, among other measures.
“These steps are duly acknowledged and demonstrate that constructive engagement yields tangible results where there is the political will to act. The union does not take these efforts for granted and urges the governor to sustain this commitment until all outstanding obligations are fully discharged.”
ASUU-TSU also praised Kefas for the steps taken so far to address the welfare concerns of academic staff and improve industrial relations at the university.
The union assured the public that it remained open to constructive engagement and expressed confidence that the outstanding issues could be resolved through the collective commitment of all parties.
It called on the state government to sustain the progress already made by ensuring the full implementation of the 2025 Agreement and the payment of all accrued arrears, describing these as the surest ways to restore industrial harmony and normal academic activities at Taraba State University.