Plateau State university ASUU threatens indefinite strike over unpaid salaries and arrears

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branch at Plateau State University has warned that it will commence a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike” if the state government does not put the new salary structure for lecturers into effect and settle outstanding arrears.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the union said it forwarded the Federal Government/ASUU agreement, which contains the revised salary template, to university management in February 2026. Despite this, lecturers continue to receive pay under the previous scheme, even as economic conditions deteriorate.

“Sadly, we remain on the old salary scheme despite the harsh economic realities lecturers face daily,” the statement read, signed jointly by branch Chairperson Dr Vincent Choji and Secretary Dr Lomka Iliya Kopdiya.

The union accused the state government and university management of expanding the university—through higher student enrolment and the creation of new faculties—without addressing staff workload and welfare.

“While the State Government and University Management have taken credit for the institution’s expansion through increased student enrolment and the introduction of new faculties and departments, the resulting workload on lecturers has been ignored.

“Our members are working harder than ever to teach and mould the character of these students, yet their well‑being is not being addressed,” the statement continued.

The union reported that at least four lecturers have died in recent months from stress‑related and heart‑related complications. It also highlighted unresolved problems such as campus security, high transportation costs and the lack of staff accommodation.

“Tragically, in recent months, the union has lost over four committed lecturers to stress and heart‑related complications. Furthermore, critical concerns regarding campus security, high transportation costs and the lack of staff accommodation remain unaddressed,” the statement said.

ASUU‑PLASU added that other commitments from the 2024 agreement between the state government and the union have also been neglected.

“These pressing challenges, along with other outstanding issues from the agreement signed between the State Government and the union in 2024, have been entirely abandoned,” it noted.

The union called on the government to act promptly to prevent a shutdown of academic activities.

“We urgently call on the State Government to implement the new salary scheme and pay all the arrears from January 1 2026, release funds to cater for pension and gratuity, and address all other pending issues in the signed agreement to avert a looming, total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action,” the statement concluded.