Staff welfare: Gombe tertiary institutions issue strike warning
By Hajara Usman
The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Gombe State Government to address outstanding staff welfare entitlements and implement agreed conditions of service across public tertiary institutions in the state.
The union, comprising 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), issued the ultimatum in a communiqué dated August 17, 2026.
According to the unions, the outstanding issues have persisted despite several engagements with relevant government authorities.
JOUGTIN acknowledged the efforts of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in supporting tertiary education in the state, but said several critical staff welfare matters remain unresolved.
Among the issues raised are the non-implementation of the consolidated ₦70,000 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments for staff of public tertiary institutions.
The unions also demanded the implementation of approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONPCASS/CONTISS salary adjustments, payment of outstanding consequential adjustments arising from the ₦30,000 minimum wage, and payment of approved wage awards, palliatives and other relief measures introduced in response to economic hardship.
Other demands include the implementation of outstanding staff promotions, payment of promotion arrears, some of which the unions said date back several years, annual salary increments, and the implementation of approved CATA and CONTTA allowances.
JOUGTIN said the continued failure to address the issues had placed a heavy financial burden on workers and their families, while negatively affecting staff morale, productivity and industrial relations in the tertiary education sector.
The union said it had exhausted various avenues of dialogue and constructive engagement before resorting to the 14-day ultimatum.
It therefore called on the state government to take “concrete, verifiable and meaningful steps” towards resolving the outstanding demands within the stipulated period.
JOUGTIN warned that failure to secure satisfactory action within 14 days would compel the unions to commence further legitimate industrial action, including an indefinite strike, without further notice.
The unions, however, said they remained committed to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful engagement, stressing that the ultimatum was not intended to undermine their relationship with the government.
They appealed to parents, students, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations and members of the public to understand the circumstances behind their action and support efforts to achieve a lasting resolution.
The unions expressed hope that the government would respond positively to their demands in the interest of industrial harmony, staff welfare, uninterrupted academic activities and the sustainable development of tertiary education in Gombe State.
