by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Plateau State University Branch, has urged the Plateau State Government to shun bureaucratic red tapes and immediately implement the new salary scheme for lecturers.
According to the Union, “As a branch, we submitted to the Federal Government/ASUU agreement, which reflects the new salary template – to the University Management in February, 2026.”
A statement to this effect was signed by Dr. Vincent Choji and Lomka Iliya Kopdiya, who are both Chairperson and Secretary of ASUU (Plateau), respectively, and issued to journalists in Jos.
The statement averred that, sadly, they remain on the old salary scheme, despite the harsh economic realities lecturers face daily.
While the State Government and University Management have taken credit for the institution’s expansion through increased student enrollment and the introduction of new faculties and departments, the resulting workload on lecturers has been ignored.
According to them, their members are working harder than ever to teach and mold the character of the students; yet, their well-being is not being addressed.
“Tragically, in recent months, the Union has lost over four committed lecturers to stress and heart-related complications,” they stressed.
ASUU further noted that, critical concerns regarding campus security, high transportation costs, and the lack of staff accommodation remain unaddressed.
“These pressing challenges, along with other outstanding issues from the agreement signed, between the State Government and the Union in 2024, have been entirely abandoned.
“We urgently call on the State Government to implement the new salary scheme and pay all the arrears, from 1st January 2026, release funds to cater for pension and gratuity, and address all other pending issues in the signed agreement – to avert a looming, total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action,” Plateau ASUU stated.