The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, formerly the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi chapter, has declared a total and comprehensive strike with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement issued by the chairperson of the union, Terseer Abari, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital, on Wednesday.

The union said the decision to embark on the strike was taken at a congress held on August 12, 2026.

Tagged, “No-Pay-No-Work,” Abari appealed to the appropriate authorities to pay all outstanding salaries owed members of ASUU-JOSTUM to allow academic activities to resume.

According to the ASUU-JOSTUM chairperson, the university authority had only paid two of the four components of the Federal Government and ASUU 2025 agreement.

The statement read partly, “We would like to say that at the time of this press release, the University has only paid the Consolidated Academic Staff Salaries and the Earned Academic Allowance components of the salaries to date.

“The remaining two components, Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Professorial Allowance, have only been paid in January and February 2026, while only 39 per cent of the CATA for March 2026 has also been paid. All these amount to underpayment of salaries of members of ASUU.”

The statement further read, “From the foregoing, congress of ASUU-FUAM at a congress held on 12th August, 2026, at Science Lecture Theatre, South Core, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, resolved to activate the provision in the NEC resolution of 8th-9th August to embark on a total and comprehensive strike beginning immediately.

“For emphasis, there shall be no teaching, student’s supervision, examinations, statutory meetings and any other academic activity during the period of this strike, until the University pays all outstanding salaries of members of the Union.”