Gombe varsity ASUU rejects arrears, threatens strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Gombe State University branch, on Tuesday rejected the salary arrears paid to its members, alleging that the amounts fell short of their entitlements under the 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government.

The union also resolved to commence active non-compliance from Wednesday, November 4, 2026, until all academic staff are paid their October salaries.

The resolutions were contained in a statement issued after a congress meeting of the union in Gombe. It was signed by the branch chairperson, Mustapha-Shehu Shehu, and secretary, Aliyu-Umar Shelleng.

According to the statement, the congress reviewed the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement and the memorandum of understanding reached with the university management before expressing dissatisfaction with the level of compliance.

“The congress is dissatisfied with the implementation of the agreement by the University Management,” the statement said.

The union consequently rejected the payment made as arrears of the new salary scale, insisting that the amounts paid did not reflect the full entitlements of academic staff.

It also resolved to seek permission from the union’s National Executive Council to resume its suspended strike action until the correct arrears under the new salary structure are paid to members.

“Commence active non-compliance with effect from 4th November, 2026, until all academic staff are paid October 2026 salaries,” one of the resolutions stated.

Recall that Governor Inuwa Yahaya had approved an additional N148.762m monthly subvention for Gombe State University to facilitate the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance, effective from October 2026.

The Secretary to the Government of Gombe State, Ibrahim Njodi, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, conveying the governor’s approval.

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Njodi said the additional funding represented a 56 per cent increase in the university’s monthly subvention and would enable the institution to make adequate budgetary provisions for the implementation of the enhanced salary structure.

He said the funds would be reflected in the 2026 supplementary budget, which is expected to be considered by the Gombe State House of Assembly in September.

“Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved an additional N148.762 million monthly subvention to the institution to facilitate the full implementation of the Enhanced Salary Structure, known as the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance, effective from October 2026,” Njodi said.

Following the announcement of the payment, the union suspended its planned total and indefinite strike, giving the state government and university management until October 2026 to implement agreements reached with it.

The decision was contained in a resolution issued after its congress meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The resolution was signed by the branch chairperson, Mustapha Muhammad, and secretary, Aliyu Shelleng.

The union said the congress considered a letter from the Gombe State Government on the commencement of the implementation of the new salary scale for academic staff, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding reached with the university management on the payment of outstanding arrears of members’ entitlements.

“Following deliberations, the congress resolved to suspend the planned industrial action to allow the government and management to demonstrate their commitment to the agreements.

“The congress, after extensive deliberations, resolved to suspend the planned commencement of the industrial action to give both the government and the university management the benefit of the doubt on the implementation of the promises by the end of October 2026,” the statement read.