Academic activities across Bauchi State’s tertiary institutions face imminent shutdown as lecturers commence a two-week warning strike over minimum wage disputes. The Joint Action Committee of academic and non-academic staff announced the industrial action following the state government’s alleged failure to implement the new national minimum wage structure.
JAC Chairman Abubakar Ahmed revealed during a Thursday press briefing that the union’s previous 21-day ultimatum, issued on November 19, had expired without any meaningful response from the government. The strike affects major institutions including Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education, and several other state-owned polytechnics and colleges.
The union’s grievances center on what they describe as “meagre salaries” paid to members for November 2024, falling significantly short of the expected implementation of the new salary structure approved by the National Salaries and Wages Commission. Ahmed expressed particular frustration over the government’s lack of engagement during the ultimatum period, noting that no negotiations were initiated.
This development comes amid broader challenges in Bauchi’s higher education sector, as evidenced by the state government’s recent establishment of a high-level panel to address issues at Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau. The panel, headed by Prof. Gambo Laraba Abdullahi, has been given eight weeks to conduct a comprehensive review of the institution’s operations.
The strike’s impact extends across six major institutions, including Aminu Saleh College of Education, A.D. Rufai College of Education, Legal and General Studies, Bauchi State College of Agriculture, and Bill and Melinda Gates College of Health Technology. This widespread action threatens to disrupt the academic calendar and affect thousands of students across the state.
Union leadership has appealed to students and parents for understanding, emphasizing that the strike action serves the public interest by advocating for improved educational standards and fair compensation for academic staff. The move highlights growing tensions between educational institutions and state authorities over compensation and working conditions.
The timing of this industrial action is particularly significant as it coincides with the state’s efforts to address educational challenges through the newly formed panel at Sa’adu Zungur University. This parallel development underscores the complexity of educational issues facing Bauchi State, from salary disputes to broader institutional reforms.
The panel’s comprehensive mandate includes investigating ongoing strike actions, reviewing financial operations, examining academic programs, evaluating infrastructure, and assessing governance structures. This broad scope suggests recognition of systemic challenges within the state’s higher education sector.
As the warning strike commences, attention turns to whether this action will prompt meaningful dialogue between the government and union representatives. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of higher education in Bauchi State and potentially influence similar discussions in other states facing comparable challenges.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between maintaining educational standards and managing financial constraints in state-funded institutions. As both sides stake out their positions, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached before the warning strike potentially escalates into more prolonged action.
The concurrent events at various institutions paint a picture of a higher education sector at a crossroads, requiring careful navigation to address immediate concerns while ensuring long-term sustainability and quality of education in Bauchi State.
