The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has issued another warning to the state government, threatening to resume a previously suspended strike action over what it describes as a breach of trust and failure to honour a binding agreement.

Speaking at a press conference in Jalingo on Wednesday, the union’s chairman, Dr. Joshua Mbave Garba, accused the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas of failing to implement the terms of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed on January 17, 2025, which led to the suspension of their strike in February 2025.

The MoA included, among other commitments, the commencement of a monthly disbursement of ₦50 million starting in February 2025 to offset accrued Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). However, Dr. Mbave revealed that no payment has been made since the agreement was reached.

“Despite enduring extreme hardship, demonstrating commendable restraint, and maintaining our unwavering dedication, the patience of our union has been repeatedly tested.

“This continued breach of trust and failure of commitment is a deliberate provocation and undermines the industrial peace we have upheld for months,” he said.

The ASUU chairman lamented the university’s underfunding, describing it as a violation of the institution’s founding law.

He further decried the state government’s failure to honour its promise to develop a functional pension structure, stating that only “bureaucratic formalities and empty promises” had been presented with no clear timeline or financial commitment.

Mbave also raised concerns about the government’s failure to convene a scheduled stakeholders’ meeting in early February to discuss a roadmap for settling outstanding salary arrears.

He noted that the union had previously issued a two-week ultimatum, which expired on July 31, 2025, without any response or outreach from the government.

“This silence is both deafening and unacceptable. It sends a dangerous message that agreements with ASUU are not binding and that the academic workforce is disposable,” he stressed.

Following extensive deliberations, the union announced a resolve to resume the strike if the government fails to urgently and concretely address the issues raised.

While acknowledging Kefas’ efforts in promoting education through initiatives like the implementation of free education across the state, ASUU insisted that the welfare of lecturers must not be sacrificed.

“We are not saboteurs or enemies of progress. We are nation builders and custodians of knowledge. However, we cannot continue to operate in an environment where our welfare is neglected, our rights trampled upon, and our voices ignored,” Mbave stated

ASUU called on Governor Kefas to personally intervene and resolve the festering issues to safeguard academic stability at the university, warning that continued government inaction would lead to an avoidable disruption of academic activities.