Gombe tertiary institutions workers begin 14-day strike, threaten indefinite action

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

Workers in tertiary institutions across Gombe State have declared a 14-day warning strike over what they described as the continued non-payment and non-implementation of outstanding staff welfare entitlements.

The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN), comprising academic and non-academic staff unions, said the industrial action would commence from 12 midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The unions announced the decision in a communiqué issued after their joint meeting on Tuesday, September 1, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Gombe State Government.

The affected unions include the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

According to the communiqué, the unions had, in a letter dated August 17, 2026, given the state government 14 days to take “concrete, verifiable and meaningful action” on outstanding welfare issues affecting workers in public tertiary institutions.

However, JOUGTIN said the ultimatum expired on Monday, August 31, without any “tangible, concrete and satisfactory feedback” or demonstrable action capable of resolving the grievances.

“Consequently, having exhausted the fourteen (14) days ultimatum without receiving satisfactory and tangible action from Government, JOUGTIN hereby declares fourteen (14) days warning strike,” the unions stated.

The unions, however, warned that the industrial dispute could worsen if the government fails to address their demands.

JOUGTIN said it would commence an indefinite strike without further notice at the end of the 14-day warning strike if there was no tangible feedback, concrete commitment or demonstrable implementation of its outstanding demands.

The unions said they remained willing to engage the government in good faith, urging it to urgently intervene to prevent further disruption and protect industrial peace in the state’s tertiary education sector.

The affected institutions named in the communiqué include College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada; and College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo.

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