Taraba students give Govt, ASUU seven-day ultimatum over prolonged industrial dispute

The Joint Campus Council, JCC, of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Taraba State, in collaboration with the National Union of Taraba State Students, NUTASS, on Friday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government and relevant stakeholders over the prolonged industrial dispute.

The ultimatum, contained in a communiqué issued after consultations and deliberations by the student leadership, is aimed at compelling the government and concerned unions to urgently resolve the ongoing dispute involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University chapter, ASUU-TSU, the Joint Academic Community of Taraba Institutions, JACTI, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU.

The student leaders expressed concern over the prolonged disruption of academic activities.

“Students have continued to bear the consequences through academic delays, financial difficulties, hostel evictions, transportation challenges, and disruptions to examinations, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme, SIWES, final-year projects and graduation plans”, the communique read.

While acknowledging Governor Agbu Kefas’s interventions in the education sector, particularly the 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees and ongoing infrastructural development, the student bodies urged the state government to intensify efforts towards resolving the lingering disagreements.

They called for renewed negotiations with the affected unions, clear timelines for the implementation of approved allowances, settlement of outstanding entitlements, immediate restoration of academic activities and improved attention to students’ welfare.

The joint student leadership gave the Taraba government and other relevant stakeholders until Thursday, November 12, 2026, to demonstrate concrete commitment towards resolving the disputes.

According to the communiqué, failure to record meaningful progress within the stipulated seven-day period could compel the student leadership to consider further lawful and peaceful actions to protect the interests of students across the state.

The student bodies stressed that while workers deserve their legitimate entitlements and the government must honour its commitments, students should not continue to suffer the consequences of prolonged disagreements between the government and university-based unions.

“Resolving the disputes remains critical to restoring academic stability and safeguarding the future of students in Taraba state”, the student leaders maintained.