The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) branch, has urged the Taraba State Government to expedite the implementation of outstanding agreements, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), approved salary structure and other negotiated welfare packages to sustain the prevailing industrial harmony in the institution.

The union, however, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his commitment to staff welfare and acknowledged the constructive engagement between the state government and the union.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of ASUU-TSU, Dr. Joshua Garba Mbave, said while the union recognised the progress recorded in implementing parts of the agreement, it was important for the government to conclude all outstanding obligations within the agreed timelines.

Mbave disclosed that the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU was closely monitoring compliance by state governments with agreements reached with university unions, particularly the implementation of CATA and other negotiated welfare packages.

According to him, prolonged delays in fulfilling the commitments could undermine the existing industrial peace in the university.

“We wish to urge the Taraba State Government to conclude the implementation of the outstanding obligations within the applicable timelines to sustain the cordial industrial relations presently existing between the government and the union,” he said.

Providing an update on the implementation of agreements with the state government, the ASUU chairman said the government had approved the enrolment of Taraba State University staff into the Taraba State Defined Pension Scheme.

He explained that details of retired and deceased members of staff had already been forwarded to the relevant authorities for processing and enrolment under the scheme.

Mbave added that the Head of Civil Service, who also serves as the Supervising Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Tertiary Education, had informed the union that the remaining administrative requirement was the governor’s formal endorsement of the approved memorandum. He said implementation of the pension scheme and payment of accrued pension benefits to eligible beneficiaries would commence once the endorsement was secured.

He also noted that significant progress had been made in settling outstanding salary arrears and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

According to him, following the suspension of the union’s industrial action, the state government released N500 million to offset outstanding obligations, while an additional N200 million was released in July 2026 to sustain the payment process.

The union commended the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, and the Head of Service and Supervising Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Tertiary Education, Dr. Ahmed Hamidu Kara, for their interventions in addressing staff welfare issues.

Despite the progress, Mbave said key aspects of the agreement remained outstanding, including the implementation of the approved salary structure, CATA and other negotiated entitlements.

He recalled that the union had formally requested the implementation of CATA in a letter addressed to the Governing Council of Taraba State University on March 17, 2026.

He further stated that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had communicated the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement to visitors of state universities, including Taraba State University, for immediate implementation.

The union therefore urged the state government to fast-track all administrative processes necessary to implement the approved salary structure, CATA and other outstanding negotiated benefits.

Mbave reaffirmed ASUU-TSU’s commitment to constructive engagement and social dialogue, assuring that the union would continue to monitor the implementation of all agreements while pursuing lawful measures to protect the welfare of its members and promote the growth, stability and development of the university.