(DDM) – Diaspora Digital Media learns that the Academic Staff Union of Universities branch at Taraba State University has restarted an indefinite strike after accusing the Taraba State Government of failing to honor prior agreements.
The renewed industrial action follows the earlier suspension of a strike that lecturers paused to allow the government time to implement promises reached during negotiations in January 2025.
Union leaders explain that members returned to work in good faith, expecting authorities to meet agreed conditions within a reasonable timeframe.
They now state that months passed without visible progress on key welfare and funding concerns affecting academic staff.
In a statement issued in Jalingo, branch chairman Joshua Garba Mbave outlines the union’s frustration and dissatisfaction with the pace of government response.
He declares that the strike resumption followed a congress meeting where members reviewed the situation and voted to withdraw services again.
The union lists several unresolved issues, including the absence of a functional pension scheme for university employees.
It also highlights unpaid salary arrears and the non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowances.
Lecturers further point to the failure to implement the 2025 agreement negotiated between ASUU and the Federal Government.
Dr. Mbave emphasizes that the prolonged delay in addressing these matters continues to weaken staff morale.
He adds that lecturers face rising economic pressure due to inflation and delayed entitlements.
According to him, many academic staff struggle to meet basic financial obligations because of irregular salary payments.
The union maintains that it engaged the state government in dialogue several times.
However, it says those discussions produced no concrete or verifiable outcomes.
ASUU argues that the absence of measurable action left members with little choice but to resume the strike.
The statement stresses that the decision aims to protect staff welfare and preserve academic standards.
Union officials assert that quality education cannot thrive where lecturers face persistent financial uncertainty.
They call on the government to take urgent and practical steps toward resolving the dispute.
They also urge authorities to demonstrate commitment through documented implementation of agreements.
Students of Taraba State University now face another disruption to their academic calendar.
Many students must remain at home as lectures and campus activities pause indefinitely.
Parents and guardians express concern about the repeated interruptions affecting graduation timelines.
Education observers note that recurring strikes in Nigerian universities often stem from funding gaps and policy implementation failures.
They warn that prolonged closures can erode confidence in public higher education.
The union reiterates its willingness to return to classrooms once authorities meet the agreed demands.
For now, lecturers insist that only tangible action, not promises, will end the strike.
The situation places renewed pressure on the Taraba State Government to negotiate a swift resolution.
Stakeholders across the education sector continue to watch developments closely as the impasse unfolds.
