Plateau State University ASUU: Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Arrears

• Lecturers at Plateau State University, Bokkos, have launched an indefinite strike over unpaid salary-related arrears and other unresolved demands.
• The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter issued a 14-day ultimatum on August 11 before commencing the industrial action.
• Key demands include the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme, full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, and payment of 22 months' wage award arrears.
• This strike is part of a wider ASUU industrial action in Nigeria, with 20 university branches authorized to pursue similar actions over alleged slow agreement implementation.
• Other universities, including Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and Imo State University, have also declared indefinite strikes.

This latest strike underscores the ongoing challenges in labour relations within Nigeria's public sector, particularly concerning the adherence to negotiated agreements and the timely disbursement of entitlements.

Lecturers at Plateau State University, Bokkos, have initiated an indefinite industrial action, citing the university management's failure to address a range of outstanding demands, including significant unpaid salary-related arrears. The local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced the strike following a congress meeting held on Wednesday, which came after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university administration on August 11.

The union, through a statement signed by its chapter chairman, Vincent Choji, and secretary, Lomka Kopdiya, confirmed that the demands remained unresolved despite the ultimatum's expiry. This decision means that all academic activities at the institution have been suspended indefinitely, with union members directed to withdraw their services until further notice. The ASUU chapter's action received prior approval from the union's National Executive Council, underscoring the coordinated nature of the industrial dispute.

The core of the lecturers' grievances revolves around several critical issues, prominently featuring financial entitlements and welfare concerns. Among the specific demands are the immediate commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme for staff, the full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, and the payment of outstanding arrears dating back to January 1, 2026. These financial aspects highlight persistent challenges in honouring agreements and ensuring timely remuneration for academic staff.

Beyond monetary claims, the union is also advocating for improved working conditions and a safer environment. Their demands include the provision of safe and secure staff quarters, the construction of protective trenches around the university's perimeter fence, and an end to what they describe as the intimidation of union leaders. Furthermore, a significant financial demand is the payment of 22 months' arrears from the 25/35 percent wage award, a substantial sum that remains outstanding.

The strike at Plateau State University, Bokkos, is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader resurgence of industrial tensions across Nigeria's public university system. This wave of ASUU industrial action in Nigeria follows a decision by the union's National Executive Council to authorize 20 university branches to commence processes leading to industrial action. This directive was prompted by allegations of slow implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, a recurring flashpoint in Nigerian university labour disputes.

The ASUU NEC meeting, held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9, mandated affected chapters to issue 14-day ultimatums before proceeding with strikes. Consequently, several other institutions have also declared indefinite strikes, including Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; and Imo State University. Plateau State University's action thus contributes to a growing pattern of lecturers demanding the implementation of agreements, payment of outstanding entitlements, and improvements in working conditions across the nation's higher education sector.

This latest strike underscores the ongoing challenges in labour relations within Nigeria's public sector, particularly concerning the adherence to negotiated agreements and the timely disbursement of entitlements. The lecturers' insistence on the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme ASUU highlights a critical aspect of employee welfare and future financial security, while the demand for wage award arrears lecturers points to a history of unfulfilled financial commitments.

The collective actions by various ASUU chapters, including the Plateau State University lecturers' demands, signal a deep-seated frustration with the pace of reforms and the implementation of agreements designed to improve the welfare and working conditions of academic staff. The recurring nature of these disputes poses significant disruptions to academic calendars and raises questions about the sustainability of public university education in Nigeria without consistent and proactive engagement from government and university administrations.

This strike highlights ongoing labour relations risks for public sector institutions in Nigeria, particularly regarding the implementation of agreements and payment of entitlements. Legal counsel for universities or government bodies should assess potential liabilities and strategies for dispute resolution, while compliance officers should review adherence to labour agreements and pension schemes.

Source: Original reporting via Premium Times