On Thursday, the Gombe State Executive Council, chaired by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, approved a substantial budget allocation of N947,669,909.13 million aimed at addressing urgent financial obligations toward the staff of Gombe State University. This funding is specifically designated for resolving Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) issues and promotion arrears, which have been contentious points leading to significant unrest among the university’s academic staff. The breakdown of the approval includes N265,202,570.47 allocated for outstanding promotion arrears and N682,467,338 for the EAA, which underscores the state government’s commitment to alleviating the financial burden on university staff.
Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, who also chairs the negotiation committee, emphasized that this financial approval is intended to pave the way for the academic unions to resume their duties following a prolonged strike that has lasted over a month. Jatau explained that the council has been diligently engaged in deliberations regarding the complex issue of the Earned Academic Allowance. He mentioned that difficulties had arisen in previous meetings due to his absence, which delayed the processing of necessary approvals. With the current approvals in place, he reassured that the state government has cleared all promotion arrears, eliminating any remaining debts to university staff in this regard.
The Deputy Governor further reiterated the significance of this financial commitment, expressing hope that the timely payment of owed amounts would inspire the university workers to return to their roles with renewed diligence. He stated that the government has fulfilled all its obligations related to minimum wage payments, thereby reinforcing the argument that staff members should reciprocate this support by carrying out their responsibilities effectively. Jatau’s remarks indicate a desire for cooperative engagement between the government and academic staff, designed to restore normalcy at the university.
However, the tensions between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branch of Gombe State University and the state government have been palpable, leading the union, led by Chairman Dr. Suleiman Jauro, to declare an indefinite strike on September 11, 2024. The strike was a direct action in response to the government’s failure to address critical demands, many of which had languished without adequate attention. Key issues include the non-implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Action, insufficient funding for the university, and the accumulation of unpaid Earned Academic Allowances.
Jauro highlighted a long-standing discontent with the government’s neglect of the union’s requests, leading to persistent EAA non-payments for several academic years. He noted that this neglect has resulted in compounded difficulties for university staff, who have been forced to manage excessive workloads under unfavorable working conditions without necessary support. These grievances illustrate a systemic issue within the university that extends beyond mere financial compensation, touching upon staffing adequacies and operational sustainability.
In conclusion, while the recent financial resolution by the Gombe State Executive Council aims to quell unrest among university staff, the overarching challenges within Gombe State University reflect larger trends in academic funding and support. The promises made by the state government are a step toward fostering accountability and efficiency, where the workforce’s morale can be reinstated, and productivity enhanced. Nevertheless, the underlying issues highlighted by the ASUU must be addressed to ensure that the commitments translate into meaningful change, ultimately benefiting both the staff and the broader academic environment of Gombe State University.
