Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University branch, has suspended its strike following an agreement reached with the Plateau State Government on the union's six-point charter of demands. The decision was taken on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at an emergency congress meeting of the union held in Jos, after members reviewed the issues that led to the declaration of the strike on August 26, 2026. In a statement signed by the branch chairperson, Vincent Choji, and secretary, Lomka Kopdiya, the union said the suspension followed an agreement reached between the negotiation teams of the state government and the union.
The government team was led by the Head of Service, Steven Gadong, while the union's team was headed by the Zonal Coordinator, Aku Namo. The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the Head of Service. According to the statement, the parties reached an agreement on the six-point charter of demands, including the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme, full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement and payment of arrears with effect from January 2026. Other agreements reached by the parties included the provision of safe and secure staff quarters, construction of trenches around the perimeter fence, cessation of the alleged intimidation of union leaders, as contained in a letter to Congress dated May 18, 2026, through the Registrar, and payment of 22 months' arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards.
"Having reviewed the agreement, Congress resolved that the strike be suspended with effect from 12:00 midnight, September 16, 2026. By this development, members of the union are hereby directed to resume all academic activities," the statement said. The union thanked the public for its understanding and support.
The strike had paralysed academic activities at the institution for nearly three weeks, leaving thousands of students stranded and uncertain about the fate of their semester. The union had declared the indefinite strike on August 26, 2026, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university management on August 11. The lecturers had accused the management of failing to satisfactorily address their demands, which included the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement, unpaid salary arrears, and the failure to commence the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The resolution of the dispute at Plateau State University comes amid a broader wave of industrial actions across Nigerian universities. Lecturers in at least 18 other state-owned institutions have embarked on strikes over similar demands, including the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement and unpaid entitlements. The Academic Staff Union of Universities has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike if the federal and state governments fail to urgently address the outstanding issues affecting university lecturers. The union recently warned that Kano, Edo, Plateau, Taraba, Gombe and Bayelsa states had pledged to begin implementation in September or October 2026, while cautioning other governors against allowing their universities to slide into what it described as an industrial crisis of monumental proportions.
The suspension of the strike at Plateau State University is a relief for students, parents and the university community, but it also raises questions about the sustainability of the agreement. The government has promised to implement the terms of the agreement, but the real test will be whether it honours its commitments. The payment of 22 months' arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards, the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme, and the full implementation of the 2025 agreement are significant financial obligations that will require sustained funding and political will. If the government fails to deliver, the union has made it clear that it will not hesitate to resume the strike. For now, the classrooms are open, the students are returning, and the lecturers are back at their posts. But the peace is fragile, and the next few months will determine whether it holds.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments