Gov. Kefas confronting Taraba State University’s needs amid financial challenge

Taraba State University (TSU) is tertiary institution among five others owned and financed by the Taraba State government. Other tertiary institutions in the state include:- Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery Jalingo, Taraba State Polytechnic Suntai, College of Agriculture and Health Science Jalingo and School of Health Takum.

TSU, the most expensive among all of the institutions, was founded in 2008. With gradual accreditation of programmes, the university transformed into a full-time institution that graduates several number of students. Many graduates of the institution are today living successful lives in many endeavours, while some returned to offer services to the school.

On assumption of office in 2023, the Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas inherited lots of challenges, ranging from backlog of salary arrears to issues of promotion of staff, pension and gratuity of the academic and non-academic staff.

In his bold steps to make education a priority, compulsory and easy for citizens of the state, Kefas declared free education at both primary and secondary levels in the state.

The governor also slashed down 50percent school fees of the tertiary institutions in the state including TSU. The fees were the major source of income to the university.

Having cut off the significant means of the university’s income, Gov. Kefas therefore, decided to take over major responsibilities of the institution amid financial challenges of the government.

In the face of multiple responsibilities vested on the state government with financial struggles, Governor Kefas made it a policy for regular promotion and payment of promotion arrears to the staff of the university.

The governor also engaged contractors for massive renovation of Zenith, JJT, male, Agric and prelims hostels, to the tune of over N2billion.

There was also the construction and furnishing of Okowa female hostel and construction of a 700-capacity lecture theatre.

Kefas therefore, took over payment of full salaries as against the initial arrangement of 70percent by the university and 30percent by the government.

When the state government implemented a new minimum wage in December 2024, the salary wage bill of TSU rose from three hundred and eight million, three hundred and ninety-nine thousand, forty-nine kobo (308, 349,199.46) to six hundred and thirty-seven million, eighteen thousand four hundred and forty naira nineteen seven kobo (637,018,444.97) monthly.

Taraba State government also took over the payment of gratuity and pension from the university staff effective from January 2026. Since then, all benefits accruing to staff continue to be submitted to the Office of the Head of Service, Establishment and Records, for processing and payment. The issue of the outstanding arrears has already been sent to the state House of Assembly for amendment to make it a law.

Kefas inherited arrears of salaries to the tune of one billion, eight hundred and ninety-four-thousand-, two-hundred-and forty-eight-naira fifty-eight kobo (1,865,894,248.58) out of which he paid one billion naira, leaving an outstanding balance of eight hundred and sixty-five million, eight hundred and ninety-four-thousand-and forty-eight-naira fifty kobo (865,894,248.58).

Kefas’ administration also inherited liability of earned academic and administrative allowances amounting to two billion, one hundred and eighty million, nine hundred and twenty thousand, three hundred and ninety naira forty eight kobo (2,680,920,399.48) out of which four hundred and thirty million has been paid (430,000,000) leaving an outstanding of two billion, two hundred and fifty million, nine hundred and twenty thousand, three hundred and ninety nine naira forty eight kobo (2,250,920,399.40).

On March 12, 2026 government approved payment of all the outstanding above, directed immediate release of two hundred million naira (200,000,000) same day and three hundred million naira (300,000,000) on the March 16, 2026 leaving a total outstanding of two billion, six hundred and sixteen million, eight hundred and fourteen-thousand-, six-hundred-and forty-eight-naira six kobo (2,616,814,645.06).

Furthermore, Kefas has directed the monthly release of one hundred million naira (100,000,000) until the total approval is paid. Two hundred and fifty million (250,000,000) was approved and released to TSU for accreditation.

Also, one hundred and sixty-one million (161,000,000) has been released for convocation in all higher institutions amounting to billions of naira with TSU inclusive.