Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, has suspended its four-week-old "No Pay, No Work" strike, bringing an end to an industrial action that had shut down academic activities at the institution since August 12, 2026. The suspension followed what the union described as progress recorded in the course of the struggle and the resolution of some of the issues that necessitated the strike. The branch chairperson, Terseer Abari, announced the decision in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
The union had embarked on a total and comprehensive strike on August 12, 2026, demanding the full payment of its members' Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Professorial Allowance. At the time, the union stated that the university had only paid the Consolidated Academic Staff Salaries and the Earned Academic Allowance components of the salaries to date. The remaining two components, the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Professorial Allowance, had only been paid in January and February 2026. Only 39 per cent of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance for March 2026 had also been paid. The union described these shortfalls as an underpayment of salaries of its members. The institution, formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, had been renamed Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, and the strike affected academic activities across the campus.
Abari said the suspension of the strike followed the resolution of some of the issues that led to the industrial action. The Congress directed all members of the branch to resume their official duties with effect from Friday, September 11, 2026. The union said the outcome of the struggle demonstrated the strength of collective action, unity and determination in the pursuit of the legitimate interests and welfare of university workers. The branch expressed appreciation to the university administration for its efforts and cooperation during the period of the industrial action and said it looked forward to continued productive engagements and constructive collaboration with the university management on issues concerning the welfare and interests of members, as well as the overall development and progress of the university.
While suspending the action, the branch reaffirmed its commitment to the union's principles and traditions. It urged members to return to their duty posts with renewed commitment and dedication. Abari appreciated the general public, students, stakeholders, and all well-meaning individuals and organisations for their understanding and support throughout the period of the struggle. He said the union remained committed to defending the legitimate interests and welfare of its members within the framework of collective bargaining and constructive engagement.
The university management had already moved to reopen the campus. At its meeting held on September 11, 2026, the management considered the need to reopen the campus to all students following the suspension of the strike. A notice from the university directed all students to return to the campus on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and continue with their revision for the second-semester examinations. The examinations are scheduled to commence on Monday, September 21, 2026. The university administration enjoined all students to be of good conduct during the revision and their second-semester examinations. Final-year students in particular were reminded to desist from all activities relating to "signing out," as the Federal Government ban on the activity is still in force. The administration welcomed all students back to campus and prayed for their peaceful and successful examinations.
The suspension of the strike at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University is part of a broader pattern of industrial actions across Nigerian universities in recent months. Several state-owned universities have been shut down by strikes over unpaid entitlements and unimplemented agreements. ASUU at Kaduna State University commenced an indefinite strike on September 7, 2026, over the non-domestication of the 2025 agreement. The union at Sule Lamido University in Jigawa State rejected the government's latest offer and insisted on a two-week warning strike from September 15. ASUU at Abia State University, Adekunle Ajasin University, and other institutions have also taken industrial action over unpaid entitlements and unimplemented agreements. The national leadership of ASUU has warned that it could resume its suspended nationwide strike if the Federal Government and state governments fail to urgently address outstanding issues affecting university lecturers. For the students and staff of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, the suspension of the strike brings a measure of relief after four weeks of disruption. The campus is reopening, the examination timetable is set, and the lecture halls will soon be filled again. The union has promised to continue engaging with the university management on the welfare and interests of its members, and the coming weeks will determine whether the progress recorded during the strike is sustained or whether the underlying issues will resurface.
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