The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Yobe State University has expressed deep dissatisfaction over what it described as the Yobe State Government’s failure to fulfil key commitments made to the union, warning that it may have no option but to begin lawful industrial action if the unresolved issues persist.
The union made its position known during a press briefing held on Thursday at the Yobe State University campus in Damaturu. According to its leadership, several important provisions contained in a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the state government in July 2025 have yet to be implemented despite repeated engagements.
Addressing journalists, the Chairperson of ASUU at the university, Comrade Muhammad Adamu, said the unresolved welfare matters dominated the union’s congress meetings held on April 23, May 13, and June 17, 2026.
He recalled that the union embarked on an industrial action in July 2025 over staff welfare concerns before both parties reached an agreement and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 29 of the same year.
While acknowledging that some aspects of the agreement have been implemented, Adamu said several major commitments remain outstanding, leaving members increasingly frustrated.
Among the issues raised was the failure to pay promotion arrears covering the period from 2018 to 2024. He explained that although the state government admitted the legitimacy of the claims and pledged to settle the outstanding payments, the promise has largely remained unfulfilled.
The union also expressed concern over the non implementation of the new salary package agreed upon between ASUU and the Federal Government in 2025. According to the union, the package includes the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, professorial allowances, and the integration of an 11 percent annual salary component as Earned Academic Allowance.
Adamu disclosed that these demands were officially presented to the state government during a meeting chaired by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, on May 15, 2026. However, he said the union has yet to receive any response.
ASUU further accused the government of failing to pay arrears linked to the 35 percent and 25 percent salary awards approved for professors and other academic staff, as well as the N70,000 wage award introduced for tertiary institution workers nationwide.
Although the salary increase was eventually implemented at Yobe State University in July 2025, two years after its approval, the accumulated arrears have not been paid, the union stated.
The academic body also decried the outstanding arrears arising from the consequential adjustment to the 2019 minimum wage. According to ASUU, the adjustment was only implemented in February 2024 after several years of delay, yet the arrears covering that period remain unpaid.
The union warned that the continued neglect of staff welfare is encouraging experienced lecturers to leave the institution for better opportunities elsewhere. It noted that many senior lecturers, readers, and professors who benefited from government sponsored staff development programmes have already moved to other universities and organisations offering more competitive salaries and improved welfare packages.
Adamu said the current remuneration for academic staff at Yobe State University no longer compares favourably with what their counterparts receive in many other public universities, making it increasingly difficult for the institution to retain highly qualified personnel.
He cautioned that the steady departure of experienced academics could negatively affect teaching, research, postgraduate education, accreditation exercises, and the university’s ability to remain competitive both nationally and internationally.
The union appealed to the Yobe State Government and all relevant stakeholders to urgently address the outstanding issues in order to preserve industrial harmony and protect the future of the institution.
ASUU maintained that while it remains committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes, it would not hesitate to activate every lawful process available to defend the welfare of its members and safeguard the integrity of Yobe State University if the government fails to take meaningful action within a reasonable period.
The union concluded by urging the government to act without delay, stressing that timely intervention is necessary to maintain industrial peace, ensure a stable academic calendar, and secure the long term growth of the university.
