By Yusuf CanSalihu Sansani, Jalingo
Governor of Agbu Kefas has approved the release of more than N3 billion to address outstanding financial obligations owed to staff of Taraba State University, Jalingo, in a decisive move aimed at ending the prolonged industrial action by staff unions in the institution.
The intervention is targeted at resolving the ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
Under the approved arrangement, the governor authorized the immediate release of N200 million, alongside an additional N100 million monthly allocation beginning from April 2026.
The funds will be used to offset accumulated earned allowances, salary arrears, and other outstanding financial commitments owed to university staff.
In addition, the state government has approved the enrollment of retired staff of the institution into the Taraba State Pension Scheme, while also facilitating the payment of entitlements owed to families of deceased staff members.
Governor Kefas, who serves as the Visitor to the university, announced the approval during a visit to the institution on Thursday, March 12, 2026, as part of efforts to secure a lasting resolution to the lingering dispute between the university management and the staff unions.
Demonstrating his administration’s commitment to restoring normal academic activities, the governor personally signed the approval documents for the disbursement of the funds in the presence of the TSU ASUU Chairman, Dr. Mbave Joshua Garba, and other union leaders.
The financial intervention has raised hopes that the industrial action will soon be called off, paving the way for the resumption of academic activities at the university.
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions at the university convened a congress on Thursday evening to deliberate on the government’s offer.
As of the time of filing this report, the official outcome of the meeting had yet to be announced.
However, a senior staff member of the institution hinted that the unions may suspend the strike in the coming days following the governor’s intervention.
