Academic stability at the Taraba State University hangs in the balance once again as the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities draws a hard line against the state government. In a fresh push for accountability, the university lecturers have slapped the authorities with a final fourteen-day ultimatum, threatening to shut down academic activities if lingering welfare and infrastructural agreements are ignored.
The countdown began on September 14 and will officially run out on September 28. Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, who heads the university’s branch, made it clear that while academics prefer peaceful negotiation over disruptive protests, members are prepared to explore every lawful avenue to secure their due benefits under the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU pact.
This fresh face-off stems from what the union describes as foot-dragging on critical provisions meant to improve teaching and living standards on campus. Although leadership commended the state administration for past dialogue efforts, they emphasized that talks alone cannot pay bills or substitute for concrete policy execution.
Tensions have been brewing for weeks. Back on August 13, the union had served a similar notice that lapsed on August 26. Back then, lecturers magnanimously shelved their strike plans to pave the way for a hitch-free convocation ceremony, giving authorities breathing room to address their grievances. With that grace period long gone and critical demands still unattended, the patience of the academic staff appears to have run completely dry.
As the clock ticks down toward the late September deadline, concerned parents, students, and community leaders are being urged to step in and appeal to the state government. For now, the ball is firmly in the court of the Taraba State administration to avert another crippling strike that threatens to throw the university calendar into disarray.
