Academic and non-academic staff in higher education institutions across Nasarawa State, operating under the umbrella of the Joint Unions of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions, have announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike.
The union’s decision comes in response to the non-implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage consequential adjustment, failure to effect promotions, and the non-payment of the newly approved N70,500 minimum wage.
The affected institutions include Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia; College of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Lafia; and College of Education, Akwanga.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of JUNSTI, Comrade Samson Kale Gbande, and Secretary Comrade Paul Olotu, the unions expressed regret over the denial of the agreed increments, which they said compelled them to take industrial action.
“Arising from the emergency meeting of the Joint Unions of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions (JUNSTI), held on 4th February 2025, the unions have resolved to embark on a two-week warning strike commencing from midnight on Sunday, 9th to Thursday, 27th February 2025,” the statement read.
“The strike action is necessitated as a result of the failure of Government to address union’s demands as stated in its letter of ultimatum dated 15th January, 2025 on critical pending issues,” it further stated.
The strike involves several unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Academic Staff Union of College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria, and Non-Academic Staff Union.
Speaking in an interview, JUNSTI Chairman, Comrade Gbande, noted, “We have approached the Nasarawa State Government severally over what belonged to us but to no avail. So the only option left is strike.”
