Plateau Varsity Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike

Lecturers at Plateau State University, Bokkos, have begun an indefinite strike after their union said the university had failed to meet a six-point list of demands.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities branch at the school announced the action after a congress meeting on Wednesday. The strike followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university administration on August 11.

ASUU-PLASU said members should stop academic activities until further notice. The union described the strike as total and comprehensive, saying its demands had not been satisfactorily addressed.

The demands include the start of the Contributory Pension Scheme, full implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, payment of arrears from January 1, 2026, and 22 months of arrears from the 25/35 per cent wage award.

The union also listed safe staff quarters, trenches around the university perimeter fence, and an end to what it described as intimidation of union leaders. Its chairperson, Vincent D. Choji, and secretary, Lomka Kopdiya, signed the statement announcing the action.

The shutdown is expected to disrupt classes at the state-owned university until the dispute is resolved. It adds another pressure point to Nigeria’s public university system, where pay and welfare disputes have repeatedly interrupted academic calendars.

Sources: Punch, Daily Trust