Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria
Gombe Tertiary Institutions Workers Begin 14-Day Warning Strike, Threaten Indefinite Action
Workers across state-owned tertiary institutions in Gombe State have commenced a 14-day warning strike over alleged failure by the state government to pay and implement outstanding welfare entitlements.

The action was declared by the Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN), which comprises both academic and non-academic staff unions. According to the union, the strike will take effect from 12 midnight on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

JOUGTIN announced the decision in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Gombe State Government.

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

In a letter dated August 17, 2026, the unions had asked the government to take “concrete, verifiable and meaningful action” on issues affecting workers in the state’s public tertiary institutions.

However, JOUGTIN said the ultimatum, which expired on Monday, August 31, 2026, elapsed without any “tangible, concrete and satisfactory feedback” from government.

“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 communiqué stated.

The unions further warned that they would embark on an indefinite strike without further notice if the government fails to address their demands at the end of the warning strike.

They, however, said they remain open to dialogue and called on the state government to urgently intervene to avoid further disruption to academic activities and to sustain industrial peace in the sector.

Institutions affected by the strike include College of Education, Billiri; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada; and College of Health Science and Technology, Kaltungo.

Source: The Sun Nigeria