From Godwin Agia, in Jalingo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University chapter (ASUU-TSU), has rejected its inclusion in a new committee constituted by the Taraba State Government for the “Review of Tertiary Institutions Staff Remuneration and Workforce.”
Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Friday, the Chairperson of the union, Dr. Garba Mbave Joshua, said the new committee was unnecessary and a deliberate attempt to delay implementation of the agreed remuneration framework.
The union said its position should not be misconstrued as a rejection of dialogue, adding that it has consistently shown commitment to constructive engagement.
According to him, ASUU-TSU has been engaging the state government on the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement since February 2026 and formally submitted its demands to the Governing Council of the University on March 17, 2026.
The union said government constituted a verification committee which visited tertiary institutions across the six North-East states to verify salary structures. It said the committee’s report was presented on September 22, 2026 at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Office of the Head of Service, which established 100 percent implementation of the framework in institutions visited.
Joshua noted that a tripartite committee was later constituted to compute the financial implications and accumulated arrears, and submitted its report on September 24, 2026.
He explained that the union during the September 24 meeting, government appealed for suspension of its planned industrial action and requested a two-week extension to resolve the matter, which was granted by Congress on September 29, 2026 in the interest of industrial harmony.
Joshua said Taraba State University was the only institution among those that had obtained approval for industrial action that did not embark on strike because it respected government’s appeal.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University Branch (ASUU-TSU), addresses the public today to formally state its unequivocal objection and categorical rejection of its involvement in the recent constitution of the Committee described as the “Review of Tertiary Institutions Staff Remuneration and Workforce” by the Taraba State Government.
“The Union considers this development at this stage of the process, to be unnecessary, unwarranted and inconsistent with the extensive verification, consultation, negotiation, computation and reporting processes already undertaken by the relevant organs and representatives of government and the Union.
“Our position must not, under any circumstance, be misconstrued as a rejection of dialogue or lawful engagement with government. On the contrary, ASUU-TSU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to constructive dialogue, peaceful resolution of disputes and the preservation of industrial harmony.
“Our objection arises from a demonstrable sequence of prolonged delays, repeated consultations, committee processes and assurances without corresponding implementation, notwithstanding that the issues in contention have already been subjected to extensive consideration and documentation.
“For the avoidance of doubt. ASUU-TSU has been engaging with the Taraba State Government on the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria/ASUU Agreement since February 2026. The Union formally submitted its position and relevant demands to the Governing Council of Taraba State University on 17th March 2026. On the same date, the representative of the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the Governing Council also submitted to the Government the NUC cover letter, together with the applicable Salary Table, circulated to all Visitors of State Universities for the purpose of implementing the agreed remuneration framework. Throughout this period, the Union has exercised considerable restraint and acted responsibly in the overriding interest of the University, its students, staff and the people of Taraba State,” Joshua said.
