Following Eniola Educational Consultant earlier report on the proposed resumption date at Taraba State University, fresh updates reveal that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State chapter, has rejected the January 27, 2025, resumption date announced by the university management.
The union has insisted that the indefinite strike action will continue until all their demands are fully met, citing unresolved issues with the state government and university administration.
As previously reported, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Bako, had announced the resumption date during a media briefing, expressing confidence that agreements reached in recent negotiations would lead to an end to the strike. He stated that the university was set to continue the suspended examinations and resume academic activities.
However, SSANU has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the progress made so far, describing it as inadequate.
In a statement signed by SSANU Chairperson, Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, and Secretary, Comrade Mamki Joshua Atein, the union listed two primary issues as the reason for their decision to reject the resumption date:
1. Promotion Guidelines:
The union is demanding the implementation of the 2020 council-approved guidelines for the ongoing 2023/2024 promotion exercise, instead of the annulled 2012 guidelines currently being used by the university management.
2. Outstanding Promotion Arrears:
SSANU has called for the immediate payment of promotion arrears from 2016 to 2020, arguing that the state government has already addressed similar arrears for other unions.
While the union commended the government for addressing some of their grievances, including the partial payment of Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA), they insisted that the strike would continue until there is a clear timeline for resolving the remaining issues.
“The congress appreciates the government’s offer of 10% payment for the ₦692.9 million EAA but demands an actionable plan for the payment of the remaining 90%,” the statement read.
SSANU has scheduled further discussions with the state government and university management in February to finalize these issues.
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