Joshua added that, on the same day, the representative of the National Universities Commission on the Governing Council submitted the commission’s cover letter and the applicable salary table circulated to visitors of state universities for implementation of the agreed remuneration framework.
He said the union had since exercised restraint in the interest of the university, its students, staff and the wider Taraba State community.
Verification exercise established implementation level
Joshua said the state government subsequently constituted a verification committee to examine salary structures and assess the level of implementation across tertiary institutions.
According to him, the committee visited institutions across the six states of the North-East as part of the exercise.
The verification process culminated in a meeting convened by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Office of the Head of Service on September 22, where the committee’s report was presented and made available to the union.
Joshua said the report established 100 per cent implementation of the applicable remuneration framework across the institutions covered by the verification exercise, with no alternative options or variations indicated.
He said the outcome of the verification should have provided the basis for the government to proceed to implementation rather than establish another review committee.
Tripartite committee computed financial implications
The ASUU-TSU chairman explained that following the verification exercise, a tripartite committee was constituted to determine the financial implications of implementing the agreed salary structure.
The committee was also tasked with calculating accumulated arrears arising from the delay in implementing the remuneration framework.
Joshua said the committee completed its assignment and submitted its report on September 24 during a meeting held at the Ministry of Tertiary Education.
“The committee completed its assignment and submitted its report on September 24 at a meeting held at the Ministry of Tertiary Education,” Joshua said.
He added that the ministry subsequently acknowledged the outcome through its official communication channels.
The union therefore believed that the administrative process had reached its final stage and that implementation would follow.
Union granted government two-week extension
Joshua said the government had appealed to ASUU-TSU on September 24 to suspend contemplated industrial action following the expiration of the union’s ultimatum.
He said the appeal was reinforced by a formal request from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service for an additional two weeks to resolve the outstanding issues.
According to him, the union convened its members on September 29 to deliberate on the request.
Despite concerns among members, the union agreed to grant the government the additional time in the interest of industrial harmony.
Joshua noted that Taraba State University was the only university among the institutions concerned that had obtained approval to embark on industrial action but did not proceed with the action.
He stressed, however, that the decision should not be interpreted as an indication that the university’s workers were satisfied with the situation or had abandoned their demands.
ASUU warns against further delay
The union expressed concern that the constitution of another committee could undermine the progress already made through the verification and tripartite processes.
Joshua said ASUU-TSU had consistently pursued dialogue and lawful engagement with the government but maintained that dialogue should lead to concrete implementation.
He said the union viewed the latest review committee as unnecessary because the issues surrounding the remuneration framework had already undergone extensive verification, consultation, negotiation, financial computation and reporting.
ASUU-TSU maintained that Taraba State University remained among the universities yet to implement the agreed remuneration framework arising from the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement.
The union therefore called on the state government to immediately implement the agreed salary structure, pay all accumulated arrears and give effect to the outcomes of the verification and tripartite committees.
It also urged the government to honour the assurances and commitments made to the union within the additional timeline it had requested.
Union keeps door open for dialogue
Despite its rejection of the new review committee, ASUU-TSU said it remained open to lawful and constructive engagement with the Taraba State Government.
Joshua said the union’s position should not be interpreted as a rejection of dialogue or an unwillingness to resolve the dispute peacefully.
He, however, stressed that the union’s willingness to negotiate should not be interpreted as a waiver of its demands.
The union’s latest position comes after months of engagements between the government and university workers over the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement.
ASUU-TSU said it had demonstrated restraint by suspending contemplated industrial action after the government requested additional time to resolve the issues.
The union is now urging the state government to use the period granted to conclude the process and implement the agreed remuneration framework, including the payment of outstanding arrears.
The development leaves the implementation of the agreement at Taraba State University subject to further engagement between the state government and the university workers’ union, with ASUU-TSU insisting that continued delays could undermine the trust built during the negotiation process.
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