Taraba Facts

Students of the Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo, were reportedly attacked by armed thieves wielding cutlasses and machetes. The attackers invaded both male and female hostels, injuring some students and stealing at least 18 mobile phones. The incident has raised concerns about student security, especially as the newly built hostel has reportedly not yet been commissioned, forcing some students to live in private accommodation outside the campus. Students and stakeholders are calling for urgent measures to improve security and protect students.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University branch, has issued a final 14-day ultimatum to the Taraba State Government to implement outstanding parts of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement. The ultimatum, which began on September 14, 2026, will expire on September 28. ASUU said it may take lawful industrial action if the unresolved issues are not addressed. The union had earlier issued a 14-day strike notice in August but suspended the planned action to allow the university’s combined convocation ceremonies to take place. ASUU is now urging the government and education stakeholders to act quickly to prevent disruption of academic activities.

The Advisory Committee set up to examine the electricity and transformer dispute between the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and residents of Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State has submitted its report to the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Davoro K. Titus. The report was presented to the council chairman on Monday, September 14, 2026, following extensive consultations with stakeholders and communities across the local government area. According to the committee, residents of Zing remain willing to maintain a peaceful and cordial relationship with YEDC, but are urgently calling for the restoration of electricity supply to the area. Among its key recommendations, the committee urged YEDC to provide 33kV transformers to address the electricity challenges before removing the existing 11kV transformer. It also called for the immediate restoration of power to the Zing feeder, stressing the need for improved communication betwe...

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the appointment of Professor Demo Joab Usman Kalla as the Vice-Chancellor of the Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action, Gembu. The appointment was contained in a press release dated September 14, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq. Until his appointment, Professor Kalla served as the Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He also served as a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee. Professor Kalla is described as a prolific scholar with extensive research publications in reputable local and international journals. His contributions to the field of Animal Science have earned him recognition within academic and professional circles. According to the statement, Governor Kefas expressed confidence that...

The leadership crisis at the Taraba State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (COAST), Jalingo, has taken a new turn after Commissioner Dr. Mike Dio Jen directed Acting Rector Alhaji Ibrahim Gimba Buba to immediately take full administrative control of the institution. The directive reportedly followed concerns that suspended Rector Dr. Yakubu Ali Garjila had continued to occupy his office despite the state government’s suspension order. The acting rector was also directed to notify the college’s commercial banks and remove Garjila as a signatory to the institution’s accounts. The latest action is aimed at clarifying the chain of authority and preventing the suspended rector from exercising administrative or financial control. Stakeholders are now awaiting further government action to resolve the prolonged dispute and restore stability at COAST.

No fewer than 112 of Nigeria’s 115 Federal Unity Colleges have remained closed as the 2026/2027 academic session commenced, following an indefinite strike by workers under the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and the Joint Congress of Unions of the Federal Ministry of Education. The industrial action is primarily over the Federal Government’s plan to concession King’s College, Lagos, a move the unions strongly oppose. The workers are demanding that the government completely halt the concession process, arguing that such a decision should not be taken without proper consultation with the unions and other stakeholders. The unions have also called for transparent dialogue with the Federal Government, insisting that their representatives must be invited to discuss the matter before the schools can reopen. The strike has continued despite directives from the Federal Ministry of Education instructing principals of the Unity Colleges to open thei...

By Ibrahim Bambur  Concerns have been raised over the condition of Jibu Health Centre in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, following the circulation of a video showing the facility in a reportedly dilapidated state. Reacting to the video, a Taraba indigene, Ibrahim Bambur, expressed disappointment over what he described as the neglect of a primary healthcare facility meant to serve residents of the area. He questioned how communities could be expected to access quality healthcare when basic health facilities are allowed to deteriorate. Bambur also criticised the state government’s spending priorities, drawing a comparison between the condition of health facilities and the planned Wukari flyover project. He questioned whether greater attention should be given to healthcare infrastructure, drugs, medical personnel and other basic services that directly affect residents. He further argued that many ordinary residents may derive more immediate benefit from funct...

In a historic milestone for Nigeria’s built environment, 30 year-old Civil Engineer and Construction Manager, Abdullahi Sule-Muri, MCIOB, has officially become the first native of Taraba State to attain the prestigious status of UK-Chartered Construction Manager. His election to Full Membership (MCIOB) of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), UK, places him within an elite tier of global construction leaders operating under a UK Royal Charter granted by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. The designation represents the absolute pinnacle of international recognition for project leadership, capital protection, and site governance. The milestone further solidifies Sule-Muri’s position as an advanced technical authority across West Africa. Holding a Master of Science in Project Management with Distinction from the United Kingdom with research focused on evaluating construction digitalisation and technology adoption in Nigeria, he is also among an exclusive group ...

Hon. Leah Solomon Olusiyi has officially withdrawn her lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida. The suit, registered under suit number FHC/CS/17/2026 at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Jalingo Judicial Division, was formally terminated via a legal filing submitted to the court. According to the official court document titled "Notice of Discontinuance," the plaintiff has chosen to wholly discontinue the suit in its entirety against all listed defendants. The legal motion was brought pursuant to Order 50, Rule 2 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019. The court document, dated September 10, 2026, bears official seals from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Federal High Court cashier. It was prepared and filed by a team of legal representatives acting as plaintiff's counsel, including P.D. Pius, Esq., ACIArb. (UK), O.A. Mathew, Esq., L.L...

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has called on political parties, supporters and stakeholders in Taraba State to embrace issue-based politics and peaceful campaigning ahead of the 2027 governorship and State House of Assembly elections. In a press release dated September 9, 2026, Bwacha urged his supporters and political associates to focus their campaigns on policies, ideas, vision and development rather than personalities and personal attacks. He called for responsibility, maturity and respect for divergent political opinions, stressing that political engagements should strengthen rather than divide the people of Taraba. The former senator further described the forthcoming election as a contest of ideas, vision and commitment to service. He urged politicians to engage one another with dignity, tolerance and mutual respect while allowing voters to freely and peacefully make their choices. Bwacha concluded by calling for a political culture centred on the aspirations and future of t...