You lack Capacity To Interface Between Us And Govt – ASUU-TSU Tells Commissioner

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, Taraba State University has questions the capability of the state commissioner for tertiary education Dr. Mike Dio Jen to interface in industrial disharmony between ASUU-TSU and the state government.

The Union while reacting to the commissioner’s statement over the ongoing strike at the University, describing the industrial action as unconstitutional, the union said the comment was disheartening, and a sign that the commissioner lack capacity to discharge his responsibilities as principal Government official.

In a statement signed by the ASUU chairman, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave on Friday, expressed that the commissioner’s statement was also a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the circumstances and pressure the Union into abandoning its legitimate demands

It call on the commissioner to take due account of the circumstances surrounding the ongoing industrial action, and also recognise that the Union’s position is founded on the established decisions of its national leadership and on the imperative of securing the implementation of agreements freely entered into with the Government.

This is just as it said, the present situation demands greater understanding, sincerity and renewed commitment to dialogue, rather than public statements that further aggravate an already delicate situation.

“ASUU-TSU’s attention has been drawn to statements attributed to the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, characterising the ongoing industrial action as unconstitutional and illegal.

“The Union rejects this characterisation as misleading, unwarranted and regrettable. It constitutes an apparent attempt to intimidate and discredit the Union, and to coerce it into abandoning its lawful struggle for the implementation of outstanding agreements with the Government.

“It is imperative to place on record that the Honourable Commissioner was duly furnished with the resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, passed at its meeting held in Abuja on 8th 9th August 2026, which mandated all branches yet to secure the implementation of the 2025 Agreement to embark on appropriate industrial action.

“The action is therefore, neither a unilateral decision of the Branch nor one taken without due recourse to the established structures and directives of the Union. Furthermore, following the issuance of successive ultimatums, several meetings were held with the relevant authorities in a deliberate effort to resolve the dispute through dialogue and to forestall escalation. At the conclusion of those engagements, a report was submitted for onward presentation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, for consideration and approval.

“Regrettably, the commitments made were not translated into action or outcome. It is, accordingly, incomprehensible that an official who was fully apprised of the sequence of events, the Union’s resolutions and the commitments made during the negotiations should now publicly describe the Union’s action as unconstitutional and illegal.

“Such conduct raises grave questions as to either the Commissioner’s capacity to discharge his responsibilities as the principal Government interface in this matter, or a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the circumstances and pressure the Union into abandoning its legitimate demands.

“The Commissioner cannot participate in the negotiation process, fail to secure the requisite Government intervention, and thereafter portray the Union as the obstacle to industrial harmony. Such a posture is unfair to the Union and inimical to the search for a lasting resolution”. The ASUU- TSU decried.

The union however commended governor Agbu Kefas for the interventions his administration has made towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff and sustaining the stability of the University.

“ASUU-TSU, records its appreciation to His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas for the interventions his administration has made towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff and sustaining the stability of the University.

“The governor’s visit to the University evinces a readiness to resolve the present dispute peacefully, and his further assurance that all entitlements will be paid as those of other Universities, signifies a commitment to fairness and good faith.

“In particular, the Union acknowledges the commencement of pension payments to retired colleagues; the sustained and full payment of monthly salaries; the fulfilment of the undertaking to release 100 million monthly towards liquidating the accumulated Earned Academic Allowance (EAA); and the mainstreaming of EAA into the monthly salary structure of academic staff, among other measures.

“These steps are duly acknowledged and demonstrate that constructive engagement yields tangible results where there is the political will to act. The Union does not take these efforts for granted, and urges the Governor to sustain this commitment until all outstanding obligations are fully discharged”. ASUU continued.

The union also praised governor Kefas for the positive steps taken thus far towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff and improving industrial relations in the University.

The statement assured that ASUU-TSU remains open to constructive engagement, and is confident that the outstanding issues can be resolved through the collective commitment of all parties, and called on the state government to sustain the progress already made by ensuring the full implementation of the 2025 Agreement and the payment of all accrued arrears; as it is the surest path to restoring industrial harmony and normal academic activities in Taraba State University.