Lecturers at Kaduna State University have declared an indefinite strike starting February 11, 2025, citing unresolved welfare issues and unpaid entitlements.
According to The PUNCH, the decision was communicated in a letter signed by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, KASU branch, Dr. Peter Adamu, and the Secretary, Dr. Peter Waziri.
The letter, addressed to ASUU’s national leadership, requested approval for the industrial action due to the Kaduna State Government’s failure to address their grievances.
According to the union, the state government has not paid lecturers their salaries for five months, covering May to September 2022. Additionally, 60% of their September 2017 salaries and other withheld payments remain outstanding.
Other issues include nonpayment of Earned Academic Allowance from 2015 to 2020 and the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme entitlements from 2016 to 2023.
The lecturers further accused the government of neglecting pension remittances from 2009 to 2019, failing to clear promotion arrears from 2019 to 2023, and not providing Group Life Insurance for deceased academic staff since 2020.
The union recalled that Governor Uba Sani had met with them on August 17, 2024, where he promised to address their demands. Following this, a formal reminder was sent through the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Mohammed Bello, on August 20, 2024, emphasizing the need for timely payments in installments.
Another appeal was made on October 28, 2024, urging swift intervention. In a follow-up meeting on December 17, 2024, Governor Sani reassured university staff that payment arrangements would commence within three weeks. However, three weeks passed without any action.
On January 17, 2025, the union sent another letter reminding the governor of his promise, stating, “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.”
They further urged the government to act promptly, warning of impending industrial action.
With no official response, ASUU-KASU stated that the strike had become inevitable. “Our patience has been stretched thin. We have exhausted all means of negotiation and dialogue. This strike is our last resort to demand our rights,” the union stated.
