The Academic Staff Union of Universities chapter of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, formerly the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has commenced an immediate total and comprehensive strike over unpaid salaries and allowances.
The Punch reported that the decision was reached during an ASUU-JOSTUM congress held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, according to a statement signed by the union’s chairperson, Terseer Abari, and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The industrial action, tagged “No-Pay-No-Work,” is aimed at compelling the university authorities to settle all outstanding payments owed members of the union.
Abari appealed to the relevant authorities to address the salary arrears to enable academic activities to resume at the institution.
The union alleged that the university management had paid only two of the four components contained in the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.
The statement read partly, “We would like to say that at the time of this press release, the University has only paid the Consolidated Academic Staff Salaries and the Earned Academic Allowance components of the salaries to date.
“The remaining two components, Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Professorial Allowance, have only been paid in January and February 2026, while only 39 per cent of the CATA for March 2026 has also been paid. All these amount to underpayment of salaries of members of ASUU.”
The union said the decision to activate the strike followed a resolution of the National Executive Council of ASUU reached on August 8 and 9, 2026.
The statement further read, “From the foregoing, congress of ASUU-FUAM at a congress held on 12th August, 2026, at Science Lecture Theatre, South Core, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, resolved to activate the provision in the NEC resolution of 8th-9th August to embark on a total and comprehensive strike beginning immediately.
“For emphasis, there shall be no teaching, student’s supervision, examinations, statutory meetings and any other academic activity during the period of this strike, until the University pays all outstanding salaries of members of the Union.”
The strike will therefore affect teaching, supervision of students, examinations and other statutory academic activities at the university until the outstanding salaries are fully paid.
