The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) branch, has reaffirmed its indefinite strike, directing members to suspend all academic activities, including online lectures, project supervision and teaching practice supervision, until meaningful progress is made towards resolving the dispute with the Taraba State Government.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the branch chairperson, Dr Garba Mbave Joshua, who urged members to remain united and disciplined throughout the industrial action. The union warned that no teaching or supervision should take place, whether physically, online or through alternative arrangements outside the university’s premises.
ASUU-TSU said the strike would remain comprehensive until negotiations with the government produced concrete progress on the issues that prompted the action. It also cautioned members against participating selectively in academic activities, arguing that such actions could weaken the union’s collective bargaining position.
The latest directive comes as the industrial action, which began on October 12, continues to disrupt academic activities at the university in Jalingo. The union initially declared the strike over the alleged failure of the state government to implement an agreed remuneration framework and settle outstanding salary arrears.
In its strike declaration, ASUU-TSU identified two major demands: the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU remuneration agreement at the university and the payment of accrued salary arrears dating from January 2026 until the agreed salary structure is fully implemented.
The union said it had engaged the Taraba State Government on the issues since February 2026. Those discussions reportedly led to the establishment of a verification committee to assess the existing salary structure and the level of implementation of the remuneration agreement across the North-East.
According to the union, the committee completed its exercise and submitted its report on September 24, 2026. ASUU-TSU said it had initially held back its planned industrial action after the government requested additional time to address the outstanding matters. However, the union maintained that the delay in implementing the agreement after the verification exercise left it with no option but to commence the strike.
In its latest communication, the branch leadership also warned members against what it described as media propaganda, misleading reports and provocative statements intended to undermine the industrial action. It urged lecturers to disregard rumours and unverified information, advising them to seek clarification through official communications from the branch leadership.
The union insisted that there had been no meaningful engagement capable of resolving the dispute and urged members not to assume that the issues had been settled. It maintained that the strike would continue until negotiations yielded concrete results.
Despite the firm position, ASUU-TSU said the industrial action did not amount to a rejection of dialogue. In its earlier statement, the union said it remained open to constructive engagement with the state government and relevant stakeholders, provided discussions were sincere, timely and directed towards a definite resolution.
The ongoing strike has raised concerns about its effect on students and the university’s academic calendar. With teaching, supervision and other academic activities suspended, students could face further delays in completing coursework, projects and other programme requirements if the dispute remains unresolved.
ASUU-TSU has urged the Taraba State Government to implement the agreed remuneration framework and settle the outstanding arrears, saying the dispute concerns the welfare and dignity of academic staff as well as the need to honour agreements reached in good faith.
The branch leadership thanked members for their sacrifices and commitment, urging them to maintain solidarity and resist intimidation while the industrial action continues. It did not announce a date for suspending the strike, leaving its resolution dependent on further negotiations and progress on the union’s demands.
