Gombe Varsity ASUU: Rejects Salary Arrears, Threatens Strike Over Shortfall

• ASUU Gombe State University branch rejected recent salary arrears, claiming they fell short of entitlements under the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement.
• The union resolved to begin "active non-compliance" from November 4, 2026, until all academic staff receive their October salaries.
• This dispute follows Governor Muhammadu Yahaya's approval of an additional N148.762 million monthly subvention for the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance, effective October 2026.
• The subvention represented a 56% increase in the university's monthly funding, intended to facilitate the enhanced salary structure.
• ASUU had previously suspended a planned strike in August 2026, giving the university until October to implement the agreed-upon terms.

Furthermore, the branch intends to seek authorization from its National Executive Council (NEC) to resume its previously suspended strike, which would continue until the correct arrears under the new salary structure are fully paid to its members.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Gombe State University branch has publicly rejected recent salary arrears paid to its members, asserting that the disbursed amounts fall significantly short of their rightful entitlements as stipulated by the 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government. This decision, reached during a congress meeting held in Gombe on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, signals a potential escalation of industrial action. The union’s statement, jointly signed by branch chairperson Dr. Mustapha-Shehu Shehu and secretary Dr. Aliyu-Umar Shelleng, conveyed profound dissatisfaction with the university management's adherence to the agreement.

In response to the perceived shortfall, ASUU Gombe State University has resolved to initiate "active non-compliance" starting Wednesday, November 4, 2026. This measure will persist until all academic staff receive their full October salaries. The union firmly rejected the payment made as arrears for the new salary scale, maintaining that these sums do not accurately reflect the complete entitlements due to academic staff. Furthermore, the branch intends to seek authorization from its National Executive Council (NEC) to resume its previously suspended strike, which would continue until the correct arrears under the new salary structure are fully paid to its members. This development underscores ongoing concerns regarding the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement and its associated memorandum of understanding within the institution.

This current dispute arises despite earlier efforts to address staff remuneration. Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, had previously approved an additional monthly subvention of N148.762 million for Gombe State University. This significant financial injection was specifically designated to facilitate the full implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CONAT), with an effective date of October 2026. The approval was publicly announced by the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, through a statement from Ismaila Misilli, the Director-General of Press Affairs at Gombe Government House.

Professor Njodi clarified that this additional funding represented a substantial 56 percent increase in the university's monthly subvention. The expectation was that this augmented budget would enable the institution to make adequate provisions for the enhanced salary structure, thereby addressing the Gombe State University staff entitlements. It was also anticipated that these funds would be formally incorporated into the 2026 supplementary budget, which was slated for consideration by the Gombe State House of Assembly in September of that year. This prior commitment had temporarily averted a crisis, setting the stage for the current renewed tensions.

Following the governor's announcement of increased funding, the ASUU Gombe State University branch had, on Friday, August 21, 2026, suspended its planned total and indefinite strike. This decision was formalized in a resolution signed by the then-branch chairperson, Mustapha Muhammad, and secretary, Aliyu Shelleng. The union had considered a letter from the Gombe State Government detailing the commencement of the new salary scale implementation for academic staff, alongside a memorandum of understanding reached with the university management regarding payment. The suspension was contingent upon the state government and university management implementing the agreed terms by October 2026.

The current rejection of salary arrears and the threat of renewed industrial action highlight a critical breakdown in the implementation of these prior agreements. The union's insistence on "full entitlements" and the resolution to commence "active non-compliance" indicate a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the university's adherence to its commitments. This ASUU Gombe State University dispute, if unresolved, could lead to a significant Nigeria university labor strike, impacting academic activities and operational continuity. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, particularly the ASUU-FGN 2025 agreement implementation, within the Nigerian higher education sector.

Lawyers advising Nigerian educational institutions or government entities should monitor the Gombe State University ASUU dispute closely, as it highlights potential non-compliance with collective bargaining agreements and the risk of further labor disruptions, impacting contractual obligations and operational continuity.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH