Taraba State University, Jalingo, is undergoing a significant transformation as the Taraba State Government intensifies efforts to improve staff welfare, settle long-standing liabilities, and upgrade critical infrastructure within the institution.

The State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the series of interventions undertaken by the government, noting that the measures have already yielded positive results, including the suspension of the industrial action previously embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

According to the commissioner, the state government approved five out of the seven demands presented by ASUU and the non-academic staff unions, including the sustained implementation of staff promotions, constitution of a governing council, payment of promotion arrears, and the upgrade of key student facilities.

He explained that the interventions are designed to strengthen institutional stability, improve working conditions, and reposition the university for effective academic delivery.

In the area of infrastructure, the government has commenced the renovation of several student hostels, including Zenith, JJT, Male, Agric, and Prelims hostels. Work is also ongoing on the construction and furnishing of the Okowa Female Hostel, while a new 700-seater lecture theatre is being built to meet the growing demand for modern teaching and learning facilities.

The commissioner further revealed that the state government has now assumed full responsibility for the payment of staff salaries at the university, replacing the previous arrangement where the institution paid 70 percent while government covered 30 percent.

As part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare, the new minimum wage implemented in December 2024 increased the university’s monthly wage bill from ₦308.35 million to ₦637.02 million.

In addition, the government has taken over the payment of gratuities and pensions for university staff effective January 2026, with all benefits now to be processed through the Office of the Head of Service, Establishment and Records.

Agbu Kefas, according to Dr. Jen, inherited salary arrears of about ₦1.87 billion in 2023, out of which ₦1 billion has already been paid, leaving an outstanding balance of about ₦865.89 million.

He added that inherited liabilities relating to earned academic and administrative allowances stood at about ₦2.68 billion, with ₦430 million already settled.

The commissioner disclosed that on March 12, 2026, Governor Kefas approved the release of ₦200 million, followed by another ₦300 million on March 16, while also approving a monthly release of ₦100 million until the outstanding obligations are fully cleared.

Beyond staff welfare and infrastructure, the government has also provided funding for accreditation exercises and convocation activities across higher institutions in the state, with TSU among the key beneficiaries.

He said the interventions form part of the broader effort to reposition higher education in Taraba State and strengthen the capacity of state-owned institutions for long-term growth.