Governor Yahaya Establishes High-Level Team to Negotiate with GSU Unions

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has set up a high-level negotiation team to engage with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) at Gombe State University (GSU). The goal is to address the unions’ demands and restore stability to academic activities.

The team, chaired by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Jatau, includes key government officials. Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, outlined the team’s mandate, which focuses on addressing issues highlighted in the 2021 Memorandum of Action. These include increased funding for GSU, payment of accumulated earned academic allowances, and the creation of a training fund for academic staff pursuing higher degrees.

Additional demands on the table include the adjustment of the ₦30,000 minimum wage, a 35% and 25% wage award for academic staff, updating DTA allowances, implementing a ₦70,000 minimum wage, and releasing the White Paper on the 2023 Visitation Panel to the university.

The governor will inaugurate the negotiation team on October 8, 2024, at the Government House in Gombe. Members include the Commissioners for Local Government, Finance, Justice, Higher Education, and other key state officials.