Academic activities at Taraba State University, Jalingo, face fresh disruption after lecturers declared an indefinite strike over the delayed implementation of an agreed remuneration package and unpaid salary arrears dating back to January 2026.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University chapter (ASUU-TSU), announced that the total strike would take effect from Monday, October 12, 2026. The union’s two main demands are the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU remuneration agreement at the institution and payment of all arrears accumulated from January until the new structure is fully implemented.
The dispute places students at risk of another interruption to lectures, academic assessments and other university activities. The length of the disruption will depend on how quickly the Taraba State Government addresses the union’s demands.
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Verification completed, implementation delayed
ASUU-TSU said it had engaged the state government on the matter since February 2026. Those discussions led to the formation of a verification committee tasked with examining the existing salary structure and the level of implementation across the North-East.
According to the union, the committee completed its exercise and submitted its report on September 24. The planned strike was suspended after the government requested additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
The union said it took that step to preserve industrial harmony and allow further engagement. However, the delay after the verification process prompted members to begin the indefinite action.
The timeline raises a central question in the dispute: what further steps are needed before the government can implement the agreed remuneration framework? The union’s statement did not disclose the committee’s detailed findings, the total value of the outstanding arrears or the number of lecturers affected.
Those figures would help clarify the financial obligations involved and the practical steps required to settle the dispute.
Students face uncertainty as talks continue
The strike could disrupt lecture schedules and force the university to review its academic calendar if the stoppage continues. Students preparing for examinations or working towards graduation may face additional uncertainty, while parents could bear extra costs if academic activities extend beyond their planned dates.
ASUU-TSU stressed that the action was not a rejection of dialogue. It said it was open to further engagement with the government and other stakeholders, provided the discussions were timely and aimed at a definite resolution.
The union called on the state government to honour the processes already completed, implement the remuneration agreement and settle the outstanding payments.
The dispute now centres on translating negotiations into action. Until the salary structure is implemented and the arrears question is addressed, students and university staff face uncertainty over when normal academic activities can proceed without another interruption.
