Kaduna State University ASUU to Commence Strike on February 11
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kaduna State University chapter, has declared its intention to begin an indefinite strike on February 11 due to unresolved issues concerning staff welfare.
This was stated in a letter signed by the union’s Chairman, Dr. Peter Adamu, and Secretary, Dr. Peter Waziri, which was addressed to the national body to seek approval for the strike.
The letter, which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, outlined the union’s decision to embark on the strike as a result of the Kaduna State Government’s lack of response to their concerns.
Among the grievances raised by the union are the nonpayment of five months’ salaries from May to September 2022, 60 percent of September 2017 salaries, and other withheld payments owed to academic staff.
Additional concerns include the nonpayment of Earned Academic Allowance from 2015 to 2020, as well as the nonpayment of funds for the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme from 2016 to 2023.
The lecturers also accused the government of failing to remit pensions from 2009 to 2019, not paying promotion arrears from 2019 to 2023, and neglecting to provide Group Life Insurance for deceased academic staff from 2020 to the present.
The lecturers recalled meeting with Governor Uba Sani on August 17, 2024, to discuss these issues, during which the governor assured them that the outstanding payments would be settled.
In a letter dated August 20, 2024, and sent through the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Mohammed Bello, the union reminded the governor of his commitment to pay the arrears in instalments.
To further address the matter, the union followed up with another appeal on October 28, 2024, urging a prompt resolution of the welfare concerns.
On December 17, 2024, the governor convened another meeting with the management and unions of tertiary institutions, where he announced that the payment process would commence within three weeks.
After the three-week period elapsed without any payments being made, the union sent another letter on January 17, 2025, to remind the governor of his commitment.
“We are writing to remind you that today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, marks three weeks since the meeting was held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, and we are yet to receive any information on the payment modalities as promised by His Excellency.”
“We are appealing for your prompt intervention to consolidate on the gains of the previous deliberations and agreement made, to forestall industrial dispute and crisis in KASU,” the letter stated.
With no response from the government, the union stated that it had no alternative but to embark on an indefinite strike to demand the resolution of the outstanding welfare issues.
