Gombe Tertiary Institutions’ Workers Declare 14-Day Warning Strike
By Hajara Usman
Workers in Gombe State-owned tertiary institutions are set to commence a 14-day warning strike over the alleged failure of the state government to implement and pay outstanding staff welfare entitlements.
The warning strike is scheduled to commence from 12:00 midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, according to the Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN).
JOUGTIN announced the industrial action in a communiqué issued after its joint meeting on Tuesday, September 1, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Gombe State Government.
The union comprises the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
The unions had, in a letter dated August 17, demanded concrete, verifiable and meaningful action from the government towards resolving outstanding welfare issues affecting staff of public tertiary institutions in the state.
However, JOUGTIN said the ultimatum expired on Monday, August 31, without tangible and satisfactory feedback or demonstrable action from the government.
The unions consequently resolved to declare the 14-day warning strike, saying they had exhausted the ultimatum without receiving satisfactory action from the government.
The affected institutions include the College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo; and College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada.
JOUGTIN also warned that it would commence an indefinite strike if the government fails to provide satisfactory feedback, concrete commitment or demonstrate implementation of the outstanding demands by the end of the warning strike.
The union, however, said it remained willing to engage with the government in good faith, expressing hope that the warning strike would provide an opportunity for meaningful intervention and a mutually acceptable resolution of the issues.
The Union urged the Gombe State Government to treat the matter with urgency in the interest of industrial peace, staff welfare and the continued effective functioning of tertiary education in the state.
