ASUU-PLASU Declares Indefinite Strike Over Six Unresolved Demands, Shuts Down Plateau Varsity

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University Chapter (ASUU-PLASU), has shut down academic activities at the institution after declaring a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike over what it described as the university administration's failure to address six long-standing demands.

The decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum the union had issued to management on August 11, 2026. After reviewing the administration's response at its Congress meeting on August 25, the union concluded that none of the issues raised had been satisfactorily resolved.

In a statement signed by ASUU-PLASU Chairperson, Dr Vincent Dung Choji, and Secretary, Comrade Lomka K. Iliya, the union said the administration's reply, contained in a letter dated August 18, failed to substantively address the concerns it had raised.

Among the unresolved demands listed by the union were the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme for staff, full implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement, and payment of arrears with effect from January 2026. Other outstanding issues included the provision of safe and secure staff quarters, construction of trenches around the university's perimeter fence, and an end to what the union alleged was ongoing intimidation of its leadership by the administration.

ASUU-PLASU is additionally insisting on the payment of 22 months' worth of arrears tied to the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award, which the union said has remained outstanding despite repeated engagements with university management over the matter.

With approval already secured from the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU at the national level, the union's Congress resolved to proceed with an indefinite strike, directing all members to suspend teaching, research, and other academic activities at the institution until further notice.

In its statement, the union appealed for understanding from members, students, parents, and other stakeholders affected by the disruption, stressing that the industrial action became necessary only after all available avenues for amicable resolution with the university administration had been exhausted.

The Plateau State University strike adds to a growing wave of similar industrial disputes at state-owned universities across Nigeria in recent weeks, with ASUU branches at institutions including Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and Imo State University, Owerri, also having recently declared indefinite strikes over closely related grievances, chiefly the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement and unpaid wage award arrears. The recurring pattern reflects a broader, persistent friction between the union and various state governments over the pace and consistency with which federally negotiated welfare agreements are being implemented at the state level, disputes that have repeatedly disrupted academic calendars at public universities nationwide in recent months.

As of the time of this report, Plateau State University management had yet to issue a public response to the specific demands raised by ASUU-PLASU, leaving the strike's duration, and the timeline for resumption of academic activities at the institution, uncertain.