ASUU DEBUNKS CLAIM THAT TARABA STATE UNIVERSITY IS THE HIGHEST-PAID UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIA
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University Chapter, has debunked a podcast circulating on social media claiming that Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, is the highest-paying university in Nigeria.
In a press release dated October 14, 2026, and signed by the Chairperson of ASUU-TSU, Dr. Garba Mbave Joshua, on behalf of the union’s congress, ASUU described the claim as false, misleading, and unsupported by verifiable records.
The union stated that the assertion demonstrated a lack of understanding of the facts surrounding the salaries and welfare of academic and non-academic staff in Nigerian universities.
ASUU-TSU maintained that salary-related claims should be based on verified records rather than unsubstantiated statements circulated on social media.
1. FINDINGS OF THE TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT'S FACT-FINDING TEAM
ASUU-TSU referenced a report presented on September 24, 2026, by a Taraba State Government fact-finding team.
The report, titled Report on the Implementation of Consolidated Academic/Teaching Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Allowance (CONTIA) in Gombe State University, Sa'adu Zungur University, Yobe State University and Adamawa State University, reportedly established that the institutions covered had fully implemented the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement.
According to the union, the findings indicate that staff of the institutions covered by the report earn more than their counterparts at Taraba State University.
ASUU-TSU argued that the government's own findings contradict the claim that TSU is the highest-paying university in the country.
2. COMPARATIVE SALARY FIGURES FROM OTHER STATE UNIVERSITIES
To support its position, the union presented comparative salary figures for selected academic ranks at Taraba State University and other state-owned universities.
The figures provided in the statement include:
| Academic rank | Taraba State University | Other university |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Graduate Assistant, CONUASS 01, Step 6 | ₦237,331.33 | Rivers State University: figure incomplete in the statement |
| Professor, CONUASS 07, Step 10 | ₦1,002,801.94 | Rivers State University: ₦3,355,231.10 |
| Professor, CONUASS 07, Step 7 | ₦984,806.69 | Benue State University: ₦1,252,419.90 |
| Graduate Assistant, CONUASS 01, Step 6 | ₦237,331.33 | Delta State University, Abraka: ₦503,574.00 |
| Professor, CONUASS 07, Step 10 | ₦1,002,801.94 | Delta State University, Abraka: ₦1,667,280.00 |
The union stated that these comparisons demonstrate that some academic staff in other state universities earn considerably more than their counterparts at TSU.
However, the figure provided for a Graduate Assistant at Rivers State University was incomplete in the original statement, making that particular comparison impossible to verify from the information released.
3. ASUU-TSU HIGHLIGHTS UNIMPLEMENTED WAGE ADJUSTMENTS
The union also explained that certain wage adjustments had not been implemented at Taraba State University.
According to the statement, the 30 per cent National Minimum Wage adjustment and the 25 per cent/35 per cent wage award for Nigerian universities were not implemented at TSU, and no arrears were paid for those adjustments.
ASUU-TSU added that the 70 per cent National Minimum Wage adjustment, which followed the earlier adjustments, was subsequently implemented. However, university staff reportedly sacrificed the arrears accumulated from the salary adjustments in the interest of industrial harmony.
The union further stated that some northern states, including Bauchi State, implemented the various wage adjustments and the Consolidated Academic/Teaching Allowance (CATA) without waiting for other states to act or setting up committees and fact-finding missions.
4. ASUU DEMANDS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2025 FG-ASUU AGREEMENT
Following its clarification, ASUU-TSU made two major appeals and demands:
- Public clarification: The union urged members of the public and the media to disregard misleading claims about university salaries and verify salary-related information against official records.
- Implementation of the agreement: It demanded the full and prompt implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement at Taraba State University, alongside the payment of outstanding arrears.
5. UNION REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STAFF WELFARE
ASUU-TSU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare of its members and promoting stability within the university system.
The union stated that it would continue engaging the government and other stakeholders in good faith but would not allow what it considers false or misleading claims to go unchallenged.
The statement concluded by reiterating the need for accurate information and fair treatment of university workers, particularly regarding salary structures, wage adjustments, and the implementation of agreements.
SOURCE: ASUU, Taraba State University Chapter
DATE OF PRESS RELEASE: October 14, 2026