The ASUU's decision to embark on the strike was taken after receiving permission from ASUU at the national level. They are also protesting the non-implementation of agreements and perimeter fencing of the institution.
However, Bala Dan-Abu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, in a statement, said the outgoing governor is not owing salaries to any group of workers in the state. He said the Ishaku administration had consistently paid their salaries since it assumed office in 2015, most of the time before the end of every month.
Dan-Abu said the clarification became necessary following a press statement issued on behalf of the incoming administration of Lt Col Agbu Kefas, the governor-elect, which contained a promise to pay salary arrears in its first 100 days.
He said the Ishaku administration had never toyed with the welfare of workers in its eight years of stewardship in the state. "We find this so-called promise to pay outstanding salary arrears made on behalf of the governor-elect not only misplaced but also misleading," he said.
ASUU has been agitating for the government to address issues of underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and non-payment of staff entitlements in Nigerian universities. In November 2021, the union embarked on a nationwide strike, which lasted for over six months, to press home its demands. The strike was called off after the government agreed to meet some of the demands.
However, the union said the government has failed to implement most of the agreements reached, leading to the current situation. The Taraba State chapter of the union said the strike will continue until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, students of the Taraba State University have expressed their displeasure over the strike. Some of them said the strike would affect their academic progress, while others called on the government to address the issues raised by the union.
One of the students, John Jatau, said the strike would further worsen the already poor state of the institution. "The state government should do the needful and address the demands of the union to enable us to continue with our studies," he said.
Another student, Grace Yohanna, said the government should prioritise education and ensure that the necessary funds are allocated to the sector. "Education is the bedrock of development, and the government should do everything possible to ensure that our universities are adequately funded," she said.
The ASUU strike has become a recurring issue in Nigeria, with the union accusing the government of neglecting the education sector. The union has called on the government to prioritise education and invest more in the sector to improve the quality of education in the country.
The strike in Taraba State is expected to affect the academic calendar of the institution and may lead to a delay in the graduation of students. The government has yet to respond to the demands of the union, and it is not clear how long the strike will last.