By Ayomide Otitoju
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved an additional ₦148.762 million monthly subvention for Gombe State University (GSU) to avert an impending strike by the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter.
The intervention follows a 14-day strike ultimatum issued by ASUU-GSU on August 11, 2026, over unpaid salary arrears, wage adjustments and the non-implementation of agreements.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, confirmed the approval, saying the 56 per cent increase in the university’s monthly subvention would enable it to implement the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA) under the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement.
The additional allocation will take effect in October 2026, while the university management has been directed to begin processing outstanding CATA arrears immediately.
The state government also said funding for the new salary structure would be incorporated into the 2026 Supplementary Budget during the Gombe State House of Assembly’s September sitting.
It further directed the phased settlement of outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards, new minimum wage adjustments and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
The government said the newly enacted Gombe State Education Trust Fund law, expected to commence in October 2026, would provide sustainable long-term funding for GSU and other state-owned tertiary institutions.
The decision followed a resolution reached at an ASUU-GSU congress on August 11 after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) conducted a visitation to the institution.
In a joint statement signed by the ASUU-GSU Chairperson, Dr Mustapha Muhammad, and Secretary, Dr Aliyu Umar Shelleng, the union listed several outstanding issues, including the non-implementation of the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement.
The union also cited failure to implement the consequential adjustment from the ₦70,000 minimum wage, unpaid ₦30,000 minimum wage arrears covering April 2019 to September 2024, and outstanding 25 per cent to 35 per cent wage awards from January 2023 to September 2024.
Other grievances included unpaid Earned Academic Allowances covering the 2018/2019 to 2022/2023 academic sessions.
ASUU-GSU warned that it would commence a “total, comprehensive and indefinite” strike if the issues were not resolved after the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum.
In a statement issued by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs at Government House, the state government urged the union to recognise the measures taken and reconsider the planned industrial action.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to working with university management, academic staff and non-academic unions to maintain stability and prevent disruption to academic activities at Gombe State University.
