Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Plateau State University (PLASU) chapter, has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike, effectively shutting down academic activities at the institution. The decision, announced on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university administration on August 11, 2026, over the failure to address the union's six-point charter of demands.
In a statement signed by the union's Chairperson, Vincent D. Choji, and Secretary, Lomka Kopdiya, ASUU-PLASU said its Congress resolved to proceed with the industrial action after concluding that the substance of its demands had not been satisfactorily addressed. The union's National Executive Council had earlier approved the strike action, leading to a directive for all members to suspend academic activities until further notice.
The lecturers' demands include the immediate commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme, the full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement, and the payment of arrears from January 1, 2026. The union is also pressing for the provision of safe and secure staff quarters, the construction of trenches around the university's perimeter fence, and an end to what it describes as the intimidation of union leaders. Additionally, ASUU is demanding the payment of 22 months' arrears of the 25/35 per cent wage award.
The dispute has been brewing for months, with the union previously threatening a strike over the Plateau State Government's failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement. ASUU had submitted the approved salary template to the university management in February 2026 but received a response in May indicating that the state government was still studying the financial and administrative implications. The union described this explanation as unacceptable, noting that other state universities had already implemented the agreement.
Beyond salary and allowance issues, the union has also expressed frustration over the non-implementation of aspects of a 2024 agreement that led to the suspension of a previous strike. These outstanding commitments include the provision of staff quarters, the completion of the university's perimeter fencing, and the establishment of a stable electricity supply within the campus. Furthermore, ASUU has condemned the issuance of a query to its Branch Secretary by the university management, describing the action as an act of victimisation against a union official for carrying out legitimate trade union responsibilities.
As of the time of this report, the Plateau State Government had not issued an official reaction to the strike declaration. The indefinite suspension of academic activities at PLASU is expected to affect thousands of students and compound the challenges facing the state's educational sector. The union has called on parents, students, and other stakeholders to prevail on the state government to resolve the issues without further delay.
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