Enough of empty promises – ASUU tells Gov Kefas

The Taraba State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has issued a final warning to the Taraba state government, urging governor Agbu Kefas to immediately implement the 2025 federal government-ASUU negotiated agreement or face industrial action.
In a statement issued to journalists in the state on Wednesday, the union accused the state government of failing to honour agreements reached with ASUU, describing the situation as a clear indication of neglect of academic staff and a threat to the future of the university.

Signed by the chapter’s chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbaver, the union said,
the statement served as the union’s final warning, stressing that lecturers had run out of patience after what he described as repeated unfulfilled promises.

“Enough of empty promises is enough,” the statement declared.

According to the union, the unresolved issues include the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU negotiated agreement, as well as the failure to implement the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), Professorial Allowance, and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

ASUU said the demands were neither new nor unreasonable, noting that they had been discussed, negotiated, documented, and repeatedly presented to the state government through various engagements.

“Instead of taking concrete action, our union has been met with silence and neglect by the Taraba State Government,” the statement said.

The union explained that the 2025 agreement was designed to address longstanding challenges facing public universities, including staff welfare, university funding, revitalisation of the education system, improved conditions of service, and the overall strengthening of public universities.

It described the government’s failure to implement the agreement as “unacceptable, provocative and dangerous” for the future of Taraba State University, adding that the continued delay undermines the principles of collective bargaining and reflects a lack of commitment to the institution’s survival.

ASUU maintained that it was not seeking special treatment but demanding the implementation of agreements already reached.

“We are demanding what is due to our members. We demand respect for labour, fairness, and the comprehensive implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement,” the statement added.

Among its demands, the union called for the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the non-implementation of legitimate entitlements, and respect for collective bargaining as a foundation for industrial harmony.

The union warned that it would have no option but to embark on an indefinite strike if the state government fails to address its demands within the shortest possible time.