Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya
Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has established 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 of Universities (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Gombe State University chapter.
The team, chaired by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Jatau, includes key government officials who will negotiate with the unions to resolve their demands and restore normal academic activities at Gombe State University (GSU).
Announcing the governor’s approval, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, outlined the team’s terms of reference, which focus on addressing the unions’ key demands, particularly those agreed upon in the 2021 Memorandum of Action.
These demands include increased funding for the university, payment of accumulated earned academic allowances, and the establishment of a dedicated training fund for academic staff pursuing higher degrees. Other issues on the table include adjustments related to the ₦30,000 minimum wage, the 35% and 25% wage awards for academic staff, updates to DTA allowances, implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and the release of the White Paper from the 2023 Visitation Panel.
The inauguration of the negotiation team is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the Government House in Gombe.
Members of the team include commissioners from various sectors such as Local Government, Finance, Education, Justice, and Budget and Economic Planning, along with key officials like the Executive Chairperson of Gombe State Internal Revenue Services, the State Auditor-General, the Accountant-General, and representatives from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). The Permanent Secretary for Special Services and Political Affairs will serve as the team’s secretary.
