TSU strike near resolution as government meets over 70% of union demands.

Gov. Kefas is committed to resolving TSU problems despite inheriting most of the outstanding issues from past administrations.

The ongoing strike at Taraba State University has entered its umpteenth week, with an end in sight.

The sincere attempts of the Taraba State government to address the grievances of ASUU, the union remains steadfast in its demands. The strike, triggered by a range of issues such as outstanding salaries, inactive pension schemes, and unimplemented national minimum wage, has underscored the intricate challenges facing Nigeria's educational sector. These persistent issues at Taraba State University, serving as the catalyst for the ongoing strike, though most of these issues are predominantly inherited by the current Governor Agbu Kefas-led administration, particularly the issue of the arrears of unpaid salaries, ineffective pension schemes, and unfulfilled national minimum wage agreements of the past, earned academic allowance, among other issues, were passed on to the current government by its predecessors. Despite earnest efforts to resolve these inherited challenges, the complexity and depth of the problems have posed obstacles to swift solutions. The past administration's disregard and mismanagement of the Taraba education sector, as exemplified in the Taraba State House of Assembly's legislation concerning the establishment of Taraba State University, have presented a formidable task for the present government in its quest to revive the university's former prestige.

At the heart of the strike lies the government's perceived lack of commitment to education. The non-implementation of the national minimum wage, lack of functional pension schemes, and absence of a governing council for the university are just a few examples of the challenges facing Taraba State University. Despite the government's efforts to address some of these concerns, ASUU insists that its demands be met in full.

Some of the grievances of the union already met by the Kefas-led administration are the constitution of a governing council for the university; the government has also paid the concurrent adjustment on the new minimum wage for November and December; approved implementation of pension for the university with a plan at 90%; establishment of a ministry of tertiary education; offering ₦100 million as part of earned academic allowance with commitments for monthly payments and including EAA in salaries; and committing to pay outstanding salaries.

The government's efforts to address the strike have been said to be up to 70% of the union's demands.

The strike has had far-reaching consequences for students, who have been forced to bear the brunt of the crisis. The suspension of academic activities has disrupted the academic calendar, leaving students in a state of limbo and uncertainty about their educational future.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has also added its voice to the chorus of concerns. The association has raised issues about non-payment of outstanding allowances, lack of functional pension schemes, and non-implementation of the national minimum wage, which are issues already addressed by the government within these few days. The strike has highlighted the need for urgent attention to be paid to the education sector. The government, stakeholders, and educational institutions must work together to address the lingering challenges facing the sector.

To resolve the crisis, the government must take a holistic approach to addressing the challenges facing the education sector. This includes increasing funding for the education sector, improving infrastructure within educational institutions, enhancing working conditions for lecturers and staff, engaging in regular dialogue with stakeholders and educational institutions, and conducting a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's educational system.