Taraba State University Shuts Gates Indefinitely Ahead Of Planned Student Protest

The management of Taraba State University, Jalingo, has ordered the temporary closure of all campus gates effective Friday, November 6, 2026, following a security report indicating that some students were planning to stage a protest.

The directive was contained in an official notice dated November 5 and signed by the Registrar, Joseph U. Bibinu.

The university described the closure as a precautionary measure aimed at protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order on campus.

“All university gates will remain temporarily closed as Management takes steps to address the reported security concerns,” the notice stated.

The management directed that staff members, including those residing in the Main Campus Quarters, who need to access or leave the university for essential or official duties must present a valid university identity card duly signed by the registrar.

It warned that staff who fail to present the required identification would be denied access through the security gates.

The university urged staff and students to remain calm, avoid unnecessary movement within the premises, and cooperate fully with security personnel.

It assured the community that it would continue to monitor the security situation and communicate additional directives as developments unfold.

The announcement comes amid reports of a planned student protest, although management did not disclose the specific grievances behind the proposed demonstration.

The campus shutdown coincides with mounting tension over the prolonged industrial dispute involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University chapter (ASUU-TSU), the Joint Academic Community of Taraba Institutions (JACTI), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

On Friday, the Joint Campus Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Taraba State and the National Union of Taraba State Students issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government and relevant stakeholders to resolve the lingering dispute.

The student bodies gave the government until Thursday, November 12, 2026, to demonstrate concrete commitment towards resolving the crisis, warning that failure to record meaningful progress could compel further lawful and peaceful actions.

The student leaders expressed concern over the prolonged disruption of academic activities, stating that students have continued to bear the consequences through academic delays, financial difficulties, hostel evictions, transportation challenges, and disruptions to examinations, the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), final-year projects, and graduation plans.

“Students have continued to bear the consequences through academic delays, financial difficulties, hostel evictions, transportation challenges, and disruptions to examinations, SIWES, final-year projects and graduation plans,” the communique read.

The student bodies stressed that while workers deserve their legitimate entitlements and the government must honour its commitments, students should not continue to suffer the consequences of prolonged disagreements between the government and university-based unions.

“Resolving the disputes remains critical to restoring academic stability and safeguarding the future of students in Taraba state,” the student leaders maintained.