The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) branch, has questioned the capacity of the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, to effectively manage the industrial dispute between the union and the Taraba State Government.

The union’s reaction followed the commissioner’s description of its ongoing strike as unconstitutional and illegal, a position ASUU-TSU described as misleading, disheartening and an attempt to undermine its legitimate demands.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, the union accused the commissioner of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the industrial action despite being fully aware of the negotiations and events leading to the strike.

ASUU-TSU said the industrial action was in compliance with the directive of its National Executive Council (NEC), which mandated branches yet to secure the implementation of the 2025 Agreement to embark on appropriate industrial action.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, at its meeting held in Abuja on August 8 and 9, 2026, directed branches yet to secure the implementation of the 2025 Agreement to embark on appropriate industrial action,” Mbave said.

The union stressed that the strike was neither a unilateral decision by the TSU branch nor an action taken outside the established structures and directives of the national leadership.

It further disclosed that following successive ultimatums, several meetings were held with relevant government officials in an effort to resolve the dispute through dialogue and prevent an escalation.

According to the union, a report of the negotiations was subsequently submitted for onward presentation to Governor Agbu Kefas for consideration and approval. However, it regretted that the commitments made during the engagements had yet to translate into concrete action.

“It is, accordingly, incomprehensible that an official who was fully apprised of the sequence of events, the Union’s resolutions and the commitments made during the negotiations should now publicly describe the Union’s action as unconstitutional and illegal,” the statement read.

ASUU-TSU argued that the commissioner’s conduct raised serious questions about his capacity to handle the dispute, insisting that he could not participate in negotiations, fail to secure the necessary government intervention and subsequently portray the union as an obstacle to industrial harmony.

Meanwhile, the union commended Governor Kefas for interventions by his administration towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff and sustaining stability at the university.

It particularly acknowledged the governor’s visit to the institution and his assurance that outstanding entitlements would be paid in line with those of academic staff in other universities.

The union also identified the commencement of pension payments to retired academic staff, regular payment of monthly salaries, the release of N100 million monthly towards clearing accumulated Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), and the mainstreaming of EAA into the monthly salary structure as some of the administration’s notable interventions.

“The measures demonstrate that constructive engagement can produce meaningful results when supported by the necessary political will,” the statement added.

The union urged the governor to sustain the interventions until all outstanding obligations were fully discharged.
Reaffirming its readiness to engage in constructive dialogue, ASUU-TSU expressed confidence that the dispute could be resolved through the collective commitment of all parties.

It, however, called on the state government to ensure the full implementation of the 2025 Agreement and payment of all accrued arrears, describing these as essential to restoring industrial harmony and normal academic activities at Taraba State University.