ASUU threatens indefinite strike over unpaid 2025 agreement at Plateau varsity

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By Golok Nanmwa

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Plateau State University (PLASU) Branch, has threatened to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike over the failure of the Plateau State Government to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement.

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The union issued the warning on Thursday at a press conference held in Jos, saying the continued delay in implementing the agreement, particularly the payment of salary adjustments and academic staff allowances, had pushed lecturers to the limit.

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Speaking on behalf of the ASUU Bauchi Zone, Prof. Lawan Abubakar said the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), at its recent meeting, reviewed the implementation of the 2025 Agreement across federal and state universities and observed that Plateau State was among the few states yet to comply.

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He listed the outstanding components of the agreement to include the Consolidated Academic and Research Allowance (CARA), Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Professorial Allowance and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

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Abubakar disclosed that the union submitted the approved salary template to the university management in February 2026 but received a response in May indicating that the state government was still studying the financial and administrative implications of implementing the agreement.

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He described the explanation as unacceptable, noting that the agreement had already been negotiated and approved for implementation across Nigeria’s public university system.

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“It is unacceptable that while other state universities have implemented the agreement, Plateau State University lecturers are still waiting.

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“The delay has subjected our members to severe economic hardship at a time when inflation continues to erode the value of salaries,” he said.

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The union also lamented the increasing workload on lecturers following rising student enrolment and the establishment of new faculties and departments without a corresponding improvement in staff strength and welfare.

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According to ASUU, lecturers are now handling more courses, supervising more undergraduate and postgraduate students, conducting research and undertaking community service under difficult working conditions.

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The union further accused the Plateau State Government of failing to fully implement aspects of the 2024 agreement that led to the suspension of the November 2023 strike.

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It identified the outstanding commitments to include the provision of staff quarters, completion of the university’s perimeter fencing and the establishment of a stable electricity supply within and around the campus.

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ASUU also expressed dissatisfaction over delays in addressing pension and gratuity matters, noting that although a Gratuity Board was constituted in February 2026 after sustained agitation, it had yet to hold its inaugural meeting.

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The union equally condemned the issuance of a query to its Branch Secretary by the university management, describing the action as an act of victimisation targeted at a union official for carrying out legitimate trade union responsibilities.

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It demanded the immediate withdrawal of the query, warning that such actions could undermine the existing industrial harmony in the institution.

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Abubakar disclosed that the branch congress had unanimously resolved on May 13, 2026, to apply for strike action, adding that the request was currently being processed by the union’s zonal and national leadership.

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He appealed to the Plateau State Government to urgently release funds for the implementation of the 2025 Agreement, including the payment of arrears with effect from January 1, 2026, and address all outstanding welfare and infrastructure commitments.

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The union also called on parents, students and other stakeholders to prevail on the state government to resolve the issues without further delay to avert what it described as a looming total, comprehensive and indefinite strike at Plateau State University.

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