The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, has commended the Kaduna State Government for addressing some longstanding challenges facing the institution. The union however issued a two-week ultimatum over outstanding issues.
ASUU-KASU Chairman, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, said at a press briefing in Kaduna that the union’s position was not to castigate the government but to highlight areas requiring further intervention. He noted that three of about 10 issues previously raised, including salaries and allowances, had been addressed, while seven were outstanding.
He commended the government’s reversal of school fees increase the union had opposed over its potential impact on students, stressing that ASUU’s interventions were aimed at protecting the university system, not just staff welfare.
Abdullahi praised KASU’s performance compared with other institutions, describing it as capable of serving Kaduna State “for the next 100 or 200 years” if properly supported, and said the university had achieved results comparable to established federal universities.
He called for sustained government support, improved staff welfare and proper funding to help the institution retain its academic workforce.
On the ultimatum, Abdullahi said dialogue remained ASUU’s preferred option, stressing that the union was not eager to embark on industrial action. “Even if the government calls us now, we are ready to move. Anything that will bring peace to the system, stability, that is what we want,” he said.
He urged the state government to implement the new Federal Government-ASUU agreement and fix outstanding challenges to strengthen KASU’s legacy in the education sector.
