ASUU threatens indefinite strike at Plateau Varsity over unimplemented salary scheme

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University branch, has called on the Plateau State Government to immediately implement the new salary scheme for lecturers or risk an indefinite strike action.

The union, in a press statement signed by Vincent Choji, Chairperson, and Lomka Iliya Kopdiya, Secretary and obtained by BusinessDay on Wednesday in Jos, said the Federal Government/ASUU agreement containing the new salary template was submitted to the university management in February 2026, but lecturers were still being paid under the old structure.

“We submitted the Federal Government/ASUU agreement, which reflects the new salary template, to the University Management in February 2026. Sadly, we remain on the old salary scheme despite the harsh economic realities lecturers face daily,” the union stated.

The union further lamented that despite the expansion of Plateau State University through increased student enrollment and the creation of new faculties and departments, the welfare of lecturers had been neglected, leading to severe stress among members.

According to the statement, over four lecturers had died in recent months from stress and heart-related complications, while concerns over insecurity on campus, rising transportation costs, and lack of staff accommodation remained unresolved.

ASUU also accused the state government of abandoning several unresolved issues contained in the 2024 agreement earlier signed with the union.

The union therefore demanded immediate implementation of the new salary scheme, payment of arrears from January 1, 2026, release of funds for pension and gratuity, and resolution of all pending issues to avert what it described as a looming “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.”