The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in Gombe State, has embarked on an indefinite strike over the failure of the Gombe State government, to meet their demands.
This action marks the first internal strike since the university’s inception.
During a press conference held at the university yesterday, the union’s chapter chairman, Suleiman Salihu Jauro, and secretary, Mustapha M. Shehu, outlined the reasons for the strike, primarily the non-implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Action (MOA) regarding increased funding for the institution.
Additional concerns include the non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowances, the lack of a training fund for academic staff pursuing higher degrees, the failure to implement the agreed adjustments to the minimum wage of ₦30,000, and the non-fulfillment of wage awards of 35 percent and 25 percent for academic staff.
They also highlighted the non-payment of promotion arrears for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, as well as the absence of a white paper following the 2023 visitation to the university.
The union representatives further clarified that an agreement was reached for the state government to increase the monthly subvention to the university by ₦10 million to enhance its operations; however, they expressed disappointment that this additional funding was only provided in January and February of 2021.
They emphasized that the ongoing underfunding by the state government has severely hindered the university’s ability to fulfil its financial commitments, leading to the introduction of departmental fees, which they believe have placed an additional financial strain on students.
“The members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University branch have endured a debilitating working conditions in the university for too long as a result of issues of inadequate funding, non implementation of the content of the 2021 MOA, and refusal to implement current salaries table for academics in Nigerian universities.
“The union has sought for amicable resolution of the issues by requesting for the intervention of eminent personalities in the state with no tangible outcome,” the varsity lecturers pointed out.
