Academic staff at Yobe State University have vowed to continue their ongoing strike, insisting that the state government has failed to address several critical demands despite implementing a recent salary adjustment.
The Chairman of the university’s Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Ahmed Karage, confirmed on Monday that the strike, which began on July 11, is still in full effect.
“We are yet to suspend the strike because the majority of our demands remain unresolved,” Dr. Karage said in a statement issued in Damaturu.
According to him, although the July salary reflected the N70,000 minimum wage adjustment, other core issues, such as academic staff promotions, outstanding arrears, and salary awards, have not been addressed.
“Our members have been denied the implementation of promotions already approved by the university governing council,” he said.
“We are also demanding the payment of promotion arrears dating as far back as 2018.”
Other grievances include the non-payment of arrears from the 2019–2024 minimum wage consequential adjustments, and the backlog of the 35%-25% salary award meant for professors and other academic ranks from 2023 to 2025.
ASUU is also pushing for the payment of arrears related to the new minimum wage between January 2024 and June 2025.
Dr. Karage appealed for public understanding, stressing that the strike is a necessary step to secure the rights of university lecturers.
“We call on members of the public to bear with us. The strike will only be suspended when a binding Memorandum of Understanding is signed between our union and the state government,” he concluded.