Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has inaugurated a high-powered negotiation team to address the ongoing strike embarked upon the various unions at the Gombe State University, GSU, which has disrupted academic activities for weeks.
The strike, embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, has left government, students and parents concerned about the prolonged halt in academic activities.
The unions are demanding the implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Action; increased funding for the university, non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowances, non-institutionalization of training for sponsorship of academic staff for higher degrees, and many others
During the inauguration, Governor Yahaya expressed deep concern over the impact of the strike on students and the education sector in the state, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution.
He said; “Education is a priority for this administration, and we will do everything within our powers to ensure that the students return to class. This negotiation team has my full support to explore all avenues in resolving the pressing issues.”
Governor Yahaya said his administration recognised the critical importance of supporting the university for its smooth operation, with investment in education sector extended beyond the university, but included secondary and basic levels.
According to him, since 2019, his administration had consistently increased the monthly subvention, ensuring that every month, the university received over 200 million naira, explaining that the issue of Earned Academic Allowances was an inherited challenge from the past administration.
The Governor also noted that when he assumed leadership of the state in 2019, the university owed over 1.025 billion naira in allowances, but that he made efforts to address the backlog, citing his recent approval of over 265 million naira in benefits for the university staff.
Governor Yahaya emphasised his administration’s commitment to education as a key factor in his decision to reject a proposal by some members of Gombe State University to raise students’ registration fees as done by other states.
He also stressed that “he was aware of the challenging economic conditions and that the need to make university education accessible to the people of Gombe had made him to reject the proposals to increase fees.”
He explained that the Endowment Fund, which he had planned to launch prior to the strike, was designed to address some of the unions’ concerns, noting that “several prominent philanthropists across the country have pledged contributions to support the fund to complement the government’s efforts to enhance the university’s growth.”
Governor Yahaya appealed to the unions to recognize the economic challenges at hand, assuring them of the government’s commitment to improving the conditions of both the university and its staff.
The chairman of the Negotiation Team, Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau gave the assurance to all stakeholders of commitment to finding a lasting solution to the industrial action.
He called for cooperation from the unions.
“This administration understands the importance of your demands, and we are prepared to engage in fruitful negotiations that will benefit both the staff and the university. Our goal is not only to resolve the immediate issues but also to establish a framework for long-term stability at GSU. We appeal to the unions to come to the table with an open mind so that we can reach an agreement that prioritizes the interests of our dear state,” Dr. Jatau said.
Members of the Manassah Jatau- led committee include; the Secretary to the State Government who will serve as Secretary, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioners of Higher Education, Local Government and Community Development, Finance & Economic Development, of Education, Budget & Economic Planning, as well as Executive Chairperson, Gombe State Internal Revenue Services and State Auditor-General. Others are Accountant-General of the State, Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Gombe State, Deputy Chairman, ALGON and Permanent Secretary, Special Services & Political Affairs.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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