Silent Halls, Empty Streets: ASUU Strike Hits TSU Students, Local Economy Hard By: Auta Pheejamikalo

The usually vibrant atmosphere around Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, has grown unusually quiet in recent weeks. Lecture halls are empty, student hostels are half deserted, and businesses that once thrived on the daily presence of students now struggle to keep their doors open. 

The ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the institution has brought academic activities to a halt, leaving thousands of students uncertain about their future while the surrounding community grapples with the economic consequences.

With more than almost a thousand academic staff attending to nearly 50,000 students spread across 12 faculties and a College of Postgraduate Studies participating in the strike, the impact has been profound. Virtually all academic activities at the university have come to a standstill, leaving students anxious and frustrated.

For many students, the strike has created confusion, frustration, and anxiety.

Israel Godwin, a final-year Mass Communication student, said the uncertainty surrounding the strike has made it difficult for students to plan their next steps.

"I'm confused about what to do," he said quietly. "Every day we hear different rumours about when the strike will end. I no longer know what to believe."

For students in their final year, the situation is particularly troubling as it threatens to delay graduation.

Faith Ali, a 400-level Mass Communication student, said the suspension of lectures has stalled important academic activities, including project work.

"The ongoing strike has affected me a lot," she said. "Our project work has been delayed, lectures have stopped, and our graduation may also be postponed. The longer it continues, the more worried I become about my future."

Williams Danlami, a 300-level Statistics student, explained that he had resumed the semester with high hopes before the strike began.

"I wanted this semester to be one of my best," he said. "But with the strike now, the motivation I had when we resumed has completely disappeared."

For Emmanuel David, a 200-level Medical Laboratory Science student, the strike has complicated an important academic decision. He had planned to change his course of study to Public Health this semester.

"I'm very confused right now because of the strike," he said. "I had plans to process my change of course, but now everything is uncertain because nobody knows when the strike will end."

Some students are also losing opportunities for practical learning experiences.

Caleb Isaac, another 400-level Mass Communication student, said his department had planned an academic excursion to Plateau State in March as part of practical training.

"Because of the strike, our plans have been disrupted," he explained. "Once the strike ends, everything will be rushed — lectures, projects, and exams. I'm not even sure if the excursion will still happen."

For Fwaghn Favour Efkazi, also a final-year Mass Communication student, the situation has been emotionally draining.

"The ongoing strike has been a nightmare," she said. "Classes are on hold and nobody knows when they will resume. It's not just our academics that are affected — our future plans are also being delayed."

According to her, students are hoping that the government and lecturers will soon reach an agreement.

"We just hope the government will meet their demands so the strike can end and we can continue our studies," she added.

Economic Hardship in the Host Community

Beyond the disruption to academic activities, the strike has also begun to affect the local economy around the university.

ATC, in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, is largely a student-driven community, restaurants, small retail shops, tricycle transport services, and student hostels depend heavily on students and lecturers for their daily business.

With many students returning to their hometowns during the strike, business activities in the area have slowed dramatically.

Food vendors who normally serve dozens of students each day now struggle to attract customers. keke riders complain of fewer passengers, while some shop owners spend hours without making much sales.

Residents say the presence of Taraba State University has long been the backbone of the area's economy. Over the years, the university's growth encouraged the development of hostels, restaurants, and other small businesses.

Without the students and staff who sustain these businesses, many traders now face financial uncertainty.

Government Moves to Resolve the Crisis

Amid growing concerns, the Taraba State Government has taken steps to resolve the crisis and restore academic activities at the university.

In what many observers describe as a major intervention, Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas recently visited the university campus in Jalingo and announced the approval of ₦3 billion to address outstanding entitlements owed to staff unions.

The governor, who serves as the Visitor to the university, approved the immediate release of ₦200 million as part of the settlement. He also authorized monthly payments of ₦100 million starting from April, which will continue until the accumulated arrears are fully cleared.

In a symbolic demonstration of commitment, the governor signed documents authorizing the disbursement of the funds in the presence of union leaders, including the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Mbave Joshua Garba.

Members of the university community have welcomed the intervention, describing it as a significant step toward resolving the dispute that led to the strike.

Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the university unions has scheduled a congress meeting to deliberate on the government's offer.

Observers believe the unions may consider suspending the strike to allow lectures and other academic activities to resume.

Some lecturers, however, noted that the final decision will depend on the outcome of the congress meeting.

Waiting for Normalcy

If the strike is eventually called off, it is expected to bring relief to thousands of students whose studies have been stalled and help revive the struggling local economy around the university.

For now, however, the TSU campus remains unusually quiet — lecture halls empty, corridors silent, and benches deserted — as students, lecturers, and residents wait anxiously for the day normal academic life will finally return.

Auta Pheejamikalo is a Mass Communication student of the Taraba State University Jalingo