TSU Strike: Five Out Of Seven ASUU Demands Met- Commissioner

The Taraba State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, to suspend its ongoing strike and return to the negotiating table in the interest of students.

ASUU embarked on the industrial action on February 17, 2026, citing unresolved demands with the state government.

Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Jalingo, Dr. DioJen disclosed that five out of the seven demands presented by the union have already been resolved, while negotiations are ongoing on the remaining two issues inherited from the previous administration.

He explained that the state government has already commenced payments toward outstanding obligations, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the union.

According to the commissioner, the continued strike is affecting over 35,000 students of Taraba State University, warning that prolonged disruption of academic activities could have wider implications for the state's education sector.

Dr. Dio Jen noted that Governor Agbu Kefas remains committed to improving education in the state, adding that this commitment informed the administration's decision to reduce tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions, including postgraduate programmes.

He also highlighted several interventions by the state government at Taraba State University, including the construction of a 750-capacity lecture theatre and the renovation of the female hostel.

The commissioner further disclosed that institutional backlogs in tertiary institutions have been cleared, while funds have been released for the accreditation of courses across state-owned institutions.

Providing updates on Taraba State Polytechnic, Dr. Dio Jen said the institution recently presented 29 programmes for accreditation, out of which 28 were approved, noting that the polytechnic will soon commence Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes for the first time.

He added that Governor Kefas has directed that convocation ceremonies be held annually in all state-owned tertiary institutions, revealing that Taraba State Polytechnic will soon hold its first-ever convocation.

Speaking shortly after the briefing, the Rector of Taraba State Polytechnic, Amos Danlami Agbu, commended the state government for its support, noting that the newly approved National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes cut across science, technical, and social science disciplines.

The commissioner, however, reiterated the government's call on ASUU to consider the progress made so far and suspend the strike to allow students resume academic activities while negotiations continue.