The management of Kaduna State University has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, KASU chapter, to suspend its two-week warning strike and return to negotiations.
The university said the intervention of the Kaduna State Government had created a fresh opportunity to resolve the lecturers’ grievances. The appeal came on Friday, barely 24 hours after ASUU-KASU began the warning strike. The union took the action after its members expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government and other issues affecting their welfare.
In a statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, the university urged the lecturers to reconsider the strike in view of the government’s recent intervention.
“Management urges ASUU-KASU to give the ongoing dialogue every opportunity to succeed and to reconsider the suspension of the warning strike, particularly in view of the concrete steps already being taken by the Kaduna State Government to address the issues under discussion,” the VC stated.
KASU appeals for dialogue
The management said it was concerned about the effect of the strike on students. Many students travelled from different parts of Kaduna State and other parts of Nigeria to study at the university. It also warned that further disruption to the academic calendar could affect students, their families and their future plans. As a result, the university urged ASUU-KASU to allow the ongoing discussions to continue.
The management also acknowledged the intervention of the Kaduna State Governor and Visitor to KASU, Uba Sani. The governor has continued to engage with the issues affecting the institution. According to the university, Sani constituted a nine-member committee to address the concerns raised by the lecturers. The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo.
The panel is expected to engage with the affected parties and submit its recommendations within one month. The university said the committee showed the government’s willingness to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
University urges ASUU to suspend strike
KASU management appealed to the union to take advantage of the government’s intervention rather than allow the dispute to further disrupt academic activities. The university said the governor’s decision to keep the channels of dialogue open offered a genuine opportunity for all sides to work towards a solution.
“Management appreciates these interventions and the willingness of the Visitor to keep the doors of dialogue open. We believe this presents a genuine opportunity for Government, the University and the unions to work through the outstanding matters in a structured and constructive manner,” Musa said.
The latest development followed ASUU-KASU’s decision to embark on a two-week warning strike. The union cited unresolved agreements and demands relating to the university as reasons for the action.
ASUU raises concern over staff exodus
The union had also raised concerns about the exodus of academic staff from the university. It warned that the situation could affect the quality of teaching and learning at KASU. However, the university disputed the scale of the reported exodus. KASU management said 59 academic staff left the institution between January 2024 and August 2026.
Despite the disagreement, both sides have continued to indicate a willingness to negotiate. The university therefore appealed for an early resolution of the dispute. The management also assured students and parents that it was working to restore normal academic activities as soon as possible.
“To our students and parents, we understand the uncertainty and concern that disruption to academic activities creates. Management assures you that every reasonable effort is being made to achieve an early resolution and ensure the restoration of normal academic activities,” it stated.
Musa further pledged that the university would continue engaging the government and the unions. He said the welfare of staff and students would remain central to the management’s decisions.
“We will continue to communicate honestly with Government, engage sincerely with our unions, and place the welfare of our staff and students at the centre of our decisions,” Musa said.
Read also: Kaduna varsity lecturers begin two-week warning strike
