Thousands of students at Taraba State University, Jalingo, are set to return to lectures after academic and non academic staff unions conditionally accepted a ₦500 million intervention offer from the Taraba State Government to resolve an ongoing strike.
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the institution, Joshua Garba Mbave, confirmed on Monday that the unions had agreed to the offer by Governor Agbu Kefas, but stressed that a formal written agreement must be signed before the industrial action is suspended.
"We have accepted the ₦500m offer by Governor Agbu Kefas, but with the condition that an agreement must be signed with the government so that we are assured the promises will be honoured," Mbave said, adding that the strike would be called off immediately once both parties append their signatures.
The strike, which involved both academic and non academic staff, had paralysed the state owned University and left students unable to attend lectures for a significant period. It was triggered by unresolved welfare concerns, including outstanding salary payments and other conditions of service.
Mbave was keen to clarify that the government's financial package was not limited to ASUU members. "I wish to make it clear that the ₦500m is not only for ASUU members. It is meant for both academic and non academic staff of the University," he said.
With a formal agreement now anticipated between the Unions and the Taraba State Government, the Institution's return to full academic activity appears imminent, bringing relief to students whose studies have been disrupted by the dispute.
