Academic and non-academic staff across several public tertiary institutions in Gombe State have commenced a two-week warning strike over the alleged failure of the state government to address outstanding staff welfare entitlements.
The industrial action, declared by the Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN), began at midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The union comprises 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 the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
The decision followed a joint meeting of the unions and came after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Gombe State Government on August 17.
According to a communiqué issued on Wednesday, the unions said they had yet to receive satisfactory action from the government after the deadline expired on August 31.
“The ultimatum expired on Monday, 31st August 2026. Regrettably, as at the expiration of the ultimatum, the Union has not received tangible, concrete and satisfactory feedback or demonstrable action capable of resolving the issues raised,” the communiqué stated.
The unions said they were left with no option but to commence the warning strike, which will last for 14 days.
JOUGTIN warned that the action could be escalated into an indefinite strike if the government failed to provide satisfactory responses or demonstrate commitment towards resolving the outstanding demands.
“Should there be no tangible and satisfactory feedback, concrete commitment, or demonstrable implementation of the outstanding demands by the end of the fourteen days warning strike, the Union shall have no alternative but to commence an indefinite strike action thereafter, without further notice,” the unions said.
However, the union said it remained open to dialogue and negotiations with the state government.
It expressed hope that the warning strike would create an opportunity for meaningful intervention and a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute.
The affected institutions include the College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo; and the College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada.
The unions urged the Gombe State Government to intervene urgently, stressing that resolving the dispute was important for staff welfare, industrial peace and the continued smooth functioning of tertiary education in the state.
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