The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University, Bokkos chapter, has declared a total and indefinite strike over what it described as the failure of the university administration to satisfactorily address its six-point charter of demands.
The industrial action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university management on August 11, 2026. After reviewing the administration’s response, the union said its demands remained unresolved and directed members to suspend academic activities until further notice.
Among the union’s major demands is the payment of outstanding salary and other financial arrears dating back to January 1, 2026. ASUU is also demanding the full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, including provisions affecting the remuneration and welfare of academic staff.
The union is further demanding the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme for its members, arguing that the continued delay has created uncertainty over the long-term welfare and retirement security of lecturers.
Other demands include the provision of safe and secure staff quarters and the construction of trenches around the university’s perimeter fence. ASUU also called for an end to what it described as the intimidation of union leaders.
Another major issue is the payment of 22 months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award. The union said the outstanding payments had remained unresolved despite previous engagements with the university authorities.
The strike adds Plateau State University to a growing list of state-owned universities facing industrial action over salary arrears, implementation of agreements and staff welfare.
Across the country, several ASUU branches have recently commenced or prepared for indefinite strikes amid disagreements with their respective state governments and university administrations. Other affected institutions include Nasarawa State University, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Gombe State University, Kaduna State University, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Taraba State University, Adekunle Ajasin University and Imo State University.
The broader dispute centres partly on the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and the payment of outstanding financial obligations to university lecturers. ASUU branches have argued that delays in implementing agreed salary adjustments and settling arrears are worsening the economic pressure on academic staff.
At Plateau State University, the current action also comes after months of concern over the implementation of the new salary structure. Earlier this year, the university’s ASUU branch warned that lecturers remained on the old salary scheme despite the Federal Government-ASUU agreement providing for a revised remuneration framework.
The union’s latest decision is likely to have immediate consequences for students, particularly those preparing for examinations, completing academic sessions or undertaking research and other time-sensitive academic activities.
However, ASUU said the responsibility for ending the strike rests largely on the authorities addressing the outstanding demands. The union maintained that it would not resume normal academic activities until satisfactory progress was made on the issues contained in its charter.
The Plateau State Government had yet to publicly respond to the latest declaration at the time of reporting.
The development has once again raised concerns about the vulnerability of Nigeria’s public university system to recurring industrial disputes. While ASUU maintains that strikes are necessary to compel authorities to honour agreements and improve staff welfare, students and parents often bear the immediate consequences whenever academic activities are suspended.
For students of Plateau State University, the key question now is how quickly the university management and the Plateau State Government can engage the union and resolve the outstanding issues.
Until that happens, academic activities at the institution remain suspended indefinitely, adding another disruption to Nigeria’s already troubled university system.
