Gombe tertiary institutions’ unions begin two-week warning strike

Unions representing workers at Gombe State’s public tertiary institutions began a two-week warning strike at midnight on September 2, 2026, citing the government’s failure to implement and pay outstanding staff welfare entitlements.

The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions brings together academic, senior staff and non-academic unions from colleges of education and polytechnics. It had issued the state government a 14-day ultimatum on August 17, demanding action on unresolved welfare issues.

The unions said the ultimatum expired on August 31 without “tangible, concrete and satisfactory feedback or demonstrable action” to resolve the dispute. They therefore declared the warning strike for 14 days and warned that the action could become indefinite if the government did not respond.

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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.

“For the avoidance of doubt, should there be no tangible and satisfactory feedback, concrete commitment, or demonstrable implementation of the outstanding demands by the end of the fourteen (14) days warning strike, the Union shall have no alternative but to commence an indefinite strike action thereafter, without further notice,” the communiqué said.

The unions said they remained willing to negotiate in good faith and hoped the warning strike would produce a mutually acceptable settlement. They urged the state government to intervene urgently in the interest of industrial peace, staff welfare and the education sector.

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The Union remains willing to engage with Government in good faith and sincerely hopes that this warning strike will provide the opportunity for meaningful intervention and a mutually acceptable resolution of the issues.