The strike by Taraba State University’s Academic Staff Union of Universities, which started on December 5, 2024, has been put on hold.
This is stated in a statement signed by Dr. Garba Joshua, the chairperson of the university’s union, and released on Saturday in Jalingo, the state capital.
According to the union leader, the strike was caused by the Taraba State Government’s partial implementation of agreements with the union, which included minimum wage adjustments, staff pensions and gratuities, university funding, Earned Academic Allowances, backlog of salaries, and the creation of a governing council.
Joshua thanked state Governor Agbu Kefas for his leadership and intervention in resolving the issues that led to the strike. He also thanked the public, university management, and the Ministry of Tertiary Education for their understanding and support during the strike.
Joshua said the government committed to addressing the issues during the negotiations, including increasing university funding in accordance with Taraba State Law No. 4 of 2008 and paying out 10% of the total Earned Academic Allowance arrears, with 5% to be paid monthly beginning February 2025.
Joshua also reiterated the union’s dedication to creating a peaceful learning environment for the good of faculty, students, and the campus community.
The statement read, “Government also agrees to implementing a state-defined pension scheme for efficient payment of benefits and to finalize a template for clearing salary arrears by early February 2025.
“Adjustments will be made to ensure the council complies with statutory requirements for the constitution of the governing council. On the implementation of minimum wage, the government has implemented the new wage structure and committed to regular salary payments.
“With these resolutions and approval from ASUU National, the Taraba State University chapter has decided to suspend its strike action immediately. The union acknowledged the critical roles played by ASUU National, Zonal leadership, and Taraba State University Congress in achieving this outcome.”
The second-semester exam, which was shortened due to the strike, is anticipated to resume in the days ahead following the strike’s suspension.