Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University branch, has threatened to embark on a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike” if the Plateau State Government fails to implement a new salary scheme for lecturers and clear outstanding arrears. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, ASUU-PLASU said it submitted the Federal Government/ASUU agreement containing the new salary template to the university management in February 2026, yet lecturers were still being paid under the old scheme despite worsening economic conditions.
“Sadly, we remain on the old salary scheme despite the harsh economic realities lecturers face daily,” the statement, jointly signed by branch Chairperson Dr Vincent Choji and Secretary Dr Lomka Iliya Kopdiya, said. The union accused the state government and university management of expanding the institution through increased student enrolment and the introduction of new faculties without addressing the workload and welfare of staff.
“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 union said.
The union disclosed that it had lost at least four lecturers in recent months to stress and heart‑related complications, which it linked directly to poor welfare conditions and work pressure. It also cited unresolved issues surrounding campus security, high transportation costs and lack of staff accommodation as major challenges affecting productivity and welfare.
“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 said other commitments in a 2024 agreement between the state government and the union had also been abandoned. The union demanded the immediate implementation of the new salary structure, payment of arrears effective from 1 January 2026, release of funds for pensions and gratuities, and the urgent resolution of all pending issues under the agreement.
“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 union warned.
The threat follows similar industrial action by ASUU branches at other universities. Just weeks earlier, the ASUU branch at the University of Jos declared an indefinite strike over the delayed payment of March 2026 salaries and the non‑payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). At the federal level, the national ASUU leadership has accused the government of “distorted implementation” of the December 2025 FG-ASUU agreement and warned that growing frustration among lecturers could trigger fresh nationwide unrest.
As of press time, the Plateau State Government had not issued an official response to the union’s ultimatum. The union warned that failure to act could force it to commence an indefinite strike in the coming days, further disrupting academic activities at the institution.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments