Unpaid Arrears: ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike at Plateau Varsity

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Plateau State University, Bokkos chapter, has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike over unresolved demands and unpaid salary-related arrears.

The union announced the industrial action on Wednesday following a congress meeting held after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university management on August 11.

In a statement signed by the Chairperson, Vincent D. Choji, and Secretary, Lomka Kopdiya, the union said the university administration had failed to satisfactorily address its six-point charter of demands.

ASUU said the demands remained unresolved despite the expiration of the ultimatum, leaving the union with no option but to commence industrial action.

Among the key demands is the immediate commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme for academic staff.

The union is also demanding the full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and the payment of arrears accruing from January 1, 2026.

ASUU further demanded the provision of safe and secure staff quarters for workers at the institution.

It called for the construction of trenches around the university’s perimeter fence, citing concerns relating to the safety and security of staff and the university community.

The union also demanded an end to what it described as the intimidation of its leaders.

Another major demand is the payment of 22 months’ arrears relating to the 25/35 per cent wage award.

According to the union, the failure of the university management to satisfactorily resolve the six issues compelled its members to take further action.

“Congress is convinced that the substance of our demands on all six items has not been satisfactorily addressed,” the statement said.

The union explained that its congress decision followed approval from the National Executive Council of ASUU.

It consequently directed all academic staff members to suspend academic activities across the institution until further notice.

The strike is expected to affect teaching, examinations and other academic activities at Plateau State University as the union presses its demands.

The development adds to concerns surrounding industrial disputes in Nigeria’s university system, where issues involving wages, pension arrangements, working conditions and the implementation of agreements have continued to generate tensions between academic staff and university authorities.

ASUU did not state a specific condition for suspending the strike but indicated that members would remain on industrial action until the outstanding issues were satisfactorily addressed.