Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has taken decisive steps to address the ongoing strike actions at Gombe State University (GSU), which have left academic activities at a standstill for several weeks. On Monday, the Governor inaugurated a high-powered negotiation team tasked with resolving the industrial dispute involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
During the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Governor Inuwa expressed his concern over the prolonged disruption to students’ education. He assured the unions, students, and parents of his administration’s commitment to a quick resolution, stating, “Education is a priority for this administration, and we will do everything within our powers to ensure that the students return to class. This negotiation team has my full support to explore all avenues in resolving the pressing issues.”
The Governor emphasized the state’s ongoing investments in education, citing the increased monthly subvention to GSU, which now exceeds ₦200 million. He acknowledged the lingering issues regarding Earned Academic Allowances, which he described as an inherited challenge, explaining that when he took office in 2019, the university owed over ₦1.025 billion in unpaid allowances. Governor Inuwa further highlighted recent efforts to reduce this debt, approving over ₦265 million in staff benefits.
He also rejected recent suggestions to increase student registration fees, underscoring his dedication to keeping education accessible despite the state’s economic challenges. “We understand the difficulties families are facing, and we refuse to burden our students with higher fees, especially when other universities in Nigeria charge three times what GSU does,” he explained.
Governor Inuwa took the opportunity to discuss an endowment fund initiative, which he had planned to launch before the strike began. According to him, several prominent philanthropists had already pledged support for the fund, aimed at addressing some of the university’s pressing financial needs.
In his address, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the newly inaugurated negotiation team, Dr. Manassah Jatau, promised a thorough and fair negotiation process. “Our goal is not only to resolve the immediate issues but also to establish a framework for long-term stability at GSU,” he assured, urging the unions to approach negotiations with an open mind.
The team includes high-ranking officials such as the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney-General, and several commissioners, ensuring that all critical areas are covered as they work toward a lasting solution to the strike.
