Kaduna nursing college staff begin 3-day warning strike

Academic and non-academic staff of the Kaduna State College of Nursing Sciences commenced a three-day warning strike on Monday, bringing activities to a halt across the institution’s three campuses located in Kaduna, Kafanchan, and Pambegua.

The industrial action, led by the staff unions, followed what they termed as management’s intentional refusal to promote eligible employees for three successive years — 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Our correspondent learnt that both lectures and administrative functions were entirely suspended as staff members withdrew their services, leaving students stranded.

In a statement signed by the union chairman, Dr Daniel Danboyi, and exclusively obtained by the media, the staff accused the college management of hindering career advancement and ignoring staff welfare, despite repeated requests.

“We have resolved to down tools for three days, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, as a warning strike to press home our demand for the promotion of qualified staff whose cases have been pending for three years,” the statement partly read.

The unions further cautioned that should management fail to resolve the issue within the warning period, they would have no other option but to commence an indefinite strike.

They also called on Governor Uba Sani to intervene in the dispute, emphasising that failure to address the matter swiftly could lead to a prolonged industrial crisis.

Attempts to contact the college provost for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, several students voiced concern over the disruption, expressing frustration that the strike would once again derail their academic calendar, which had already experienced delays due to past industrial actions in state-owned tertiary institutions.

One student, who identified herself simply as Cynthia, stated, “We are worried because this is not the first time our studies are being interrupted. Most of us are supposed to graduate this year, but the continuous strikes keep dragging us back.”

Another student urged the government to take swift action, warning that ongoing disruptions could discourage young people from pursuing careers in nursing within the state.