By Our Political Reporter

Gombe State Governor and Visitor to Gombe State University, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has approved an additional N148.762 million monthly subvention for Gombe State University to enable the institution fully implement the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA), beginning from October 2026.

The approval, which represents a 56 per cent increase in the university’s monthly subvention, is aimed at strengthening the institution’s capacity to meet its financial obligations to staff and address concerns arising from the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria–Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreement.

The Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, disclosed the Governor’s approval in a statement on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Professor Njodi said the increased funding would enable the university to make adequate budgetary provisions for the implementation of the enhanced salary structure in the 2026 Supplementary Budget, which is expected to be presented to the Gombe State House of Assembly for consideration in September.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya has also directed the management of the university to immediately commence the necessary processes for the payment of outstanding CATA arrears, signalling the administration’s determination to address some of the concerns raised by academic staff.

Beyond the CATA arrears, the Governor directed the university management to explore internal measures towards the progressive settlement of other outstanding staff obligations.

These obligations include arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards, minimum wage and Earned Academic Allowances.

According to the statement, the government intends to address the outstanding obligations in phases, taking into consideration the financial sustainability of the university while ensuring that academic activities continue without disruption.

The latest intervention comes amid concerns over funding and staff welfare in the state-owned university, with the government emphasising the need to balance the payment of outstanding obligations with the long-term financial stability of the institution.

As part of broader efforts to address funding challenges in the education sector, the Gombe State House of Assembly has also passed legislation establishing the Gombe State Education Trust Fund, with operations expected to commence in October 2026.

The Education Trust Fund is designed to provide a sustainable financing framework for the education sector, particularly Gombe State University and other state-owned tertiary institutions.

The government says the fund is expected to strengthen its ability to meet recurrent and developmental needs in the education sector while providing a more dependable mechanism for addressing staff welfare and institutional requirements.

The administration therefore appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities to take into consideration the measures already introduced, the assurances given and what it described as its genuine commitment to resolving the concerns of academic and non-academic staff unions.

The government further maintained that it remained committed to working with ASUU, the university management and other stakeholders to promote industrial harmony, sustain academic activities and safeguard the stability and continued development of Gombe State University.

The latest approval is expected to provide additional financial relief to the institution and strengthen its ability to implement the enhanced salary structure while gradually addressing accumulated staff-related obligations.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General, Press Affairs
Government House, Gombe

By Our Correspondent

The Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Gombe State is set to receive a 24-hour electricity supply from the Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant as part of efforts to boost industrial activities, attract investment and create employment opportunities in the state.

The development followed an interactive meeting organised by the Management Committee of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in collaboration with Gombe Revenue Optimization Company Limited and the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The meeting brought together stakeholders and investors operating at the industrial park to discuss modalities for providing a stable and reliable electricity supply to support their businesses.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting, Chairman of the Management Committee, Mallam Bashir Nuhu, said the engagement was aimed at understanding the electricity requirements of companies operating at the park and developing a sustainable power supply arrangement.

He disclosed that the Gombe State Government, through Mabon Limited, was working towards supplying electricity generated from the Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant to the industrial park.

According to him, the meeting also provided an opportunity to assess the power needs of various companies based on their daily production requirements.

Mallam Bashir Nuhu said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya established the industrial park to promote industrialisation, stimulate business activities, create employment opportunities and increase revenue for the state.

Also speaking, the Plant Manager of Mabon Limited, Engineer Lawal Zubairu, said the Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant has the capacity to generate up to 40 megawatts of electricity.

Engineer Zubairu explained that Mabon Limited was planning to provide 24-hour electricity to the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, noting that reliable power supply would enable companies operating at the park to increase production and operate more efficiently.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Gombe Revenue Optimization Company Limited, Abdulkadir Usman, said the state government had put necessary arrangements in place to support investors and create an enabling environment for businesses operating at the industrial park.

He noted that the initiative would help companies increase their production capacity, improve the quality of their products and contribute to job creation, with about 1,000 employment opportunities expected to be generated for youths in the state.

Some participants at the meeting commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for establishing the industrial park and expressed their readiness to contribute towards the growth of industries and the development of the state’s economy.

The proposed 24-hour power supply is expected to strengthen industrial activities at the park, reduce reliance on alternative sources of electricity and improve the overall business environment for investors.

By Our Correspondent

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry and violent crime, joint security operations have successfully rescued three abducted victims and neutralized three suspected bandits in the Pindiga District of Akko Local Government Area.

The coordinated operation, conducted by combined security teams, also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and one hundred and twenty (120) expended 7.62mm ammunition shells. Additionally, four operational motorcycles used by the criminals were seized during the operation.

A statement signed by DSP Buhari Abdullahi Roni confirmed the successful rescue and recovery, describing the operation as a major success in the ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities and protect citizens in the area.

The rescued victims have been safely recovered and are currently receiving necessary medical attention and support from the authorities.

Details of the operation are expected to be released soon as investigations continue to identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and abduction.

The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies to ensure sustained peace and security in the state.