Governor Inuwa Yahaya has expressed concerns over the negative impact of the ongoing strike by lecturers in the Gombe State University (GSU).

Speaking at the inauguration of a 14-member investigative team to resolve the ongoing strike at the GSU, Yahaya said the action has negatively impacted the students and educational systems.

The team has Deputy Governor Manasseh Jatau as chairman and Ibrahim Njodi, the secretary to the state government, as the secretary.

The strike was embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

Mr Yahaya emphasised the importance of finding a quick resolution, stating that education is a priority for his administration.

“This negotiation team has my full backing to explore all possible avenues to resolve the pressing issues. While our investment in education spans secondary and basic levels, we understand the critical importance of supporting the university’s smooth operation.

“Since 2019, we have steadily increased the monthly subvention, with the university now receiving over 200 million naira each month,” the governor said.

Regarding academic allowances he inherited from the previous administration, Mr Yahaya said that when he assumed office in 2019, there was an accumulated one billion naira in unpaid allowances.

He outlined efforts made by the state government toward reducing the backlog, including the recent approval of over N265 million for staff benefits.

The governor reiterated his commitment to education.

”We rejected a proposal by some GSU members to increase student registration fees, a step that other states have taken,” he said.

Acknowledging families’ economic challenges, he stressed the importance of maintaining affordable university education for Gombe residents.

He pointed out that other universities in the country charged three times the fees currently set by GSU. The governor also explained that the Endowment Fund, which he had planned to launch before the strike, was designed to address some of the unions’ concerns.

He said several prominent philanthropists across the country have pledged contributions to the fund, which aims to complement government efforts to further the university’s development. He urged the unions to consider the current economic challenges and reassured them of the government’s commitment to improving conditions for the university and its staff.

The lecturers are demanding the implementation of the 2019 minimum wage of N30,000 and its arrears for non-academic staff. Other issues are the non-implementation of 35 per cent and 25 per cent salary increments for staff of tertiary institutions non-payment of Accumulated Earned Allowance for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

They also said the state government did not pay the N35,000 palliative wage award to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the staff.

They alleged that despite the meetings held with the government officials, their demands were not addressed.

(NAN)