The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, has raised concern over the departure of more than 200 lecturers from the institution, blaming poor conditions of service and the failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement.
Chairman of ASUU-KASU, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, where he issued a two-week ultimatum to the Kaduna State Government and university authorities to implement and domesticate the agreement. He warned that failure to act within the period could lead to a total and indefinite strike at the university.
Abdullahi said the lecturers who left, including professors, had secured appointments in newer universities within and outside Kaduna State.
He attributed the exodus to poor remuneration and declining welfare conditions at KASU, saying the situation had made the university’s academic staff among the least-paid university workers nationwide.
According to him, the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement took effect in January 2026 and provided improved conditions of service for academic staff in Nigerian universities.
He, however, said implementation of the agreement had yet to commence at KASU despite several letters written by the union to the university management and governing council.
Abdullahi added that the Visitor to the university, Gov. Uba Sani, had also been notified of the situation.
He said the union had engaged various stakeholders to ensure industrial harmony and stability within the institution.
The ASUU-KASU chairman expressed concern that more than eight months after the agreement was signed, implementation was yet to begin at the university.
He noted that many federal universities and some state-owned institutions had already commenced implementation, while some universities had also announced timelines for the payment of accrued arrears.
Abdullahi said the delay had made KASU academic staff among the least-paid university workers nationwide, adding that the situation was a departure from the university’s previous reputation for prioritising staff welfare.
He warned that continued delay in implementing the agreement would lead to the accumulation of salary arrears from January 2026.
The chairman also said the exodus of experienced lecturers could negatively affect teaching, research and academic development at the university.
According to him, replacing highly skilled academics would take years and require significant resources.
Abdullahi said the union congress met on August 12 to review the situation and resolved to declare an industrial dispute over the matter.
He added that the decision aligned with a resolution of ASUU’s National Executive Council, which met at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9.
The chairman explained that the two-week ultimatum followed established procedures for resolving industrial disputes and would give the authorities time to take concrete steps towards implementing the agreement.
Abdullahi also listed several unresolved local issues affecting members of the union, including university autonomy, excessive workload, promotion arrears and death benefits.
Other issues, he said, included group life insurance coverage, wage awards and pension remittances.
He urged the relevant authorities to address the concerns with urgency, saying timely intervention would help preserve peace and stability within the university.
The chairman also appealed to parents and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at averting industrial action at KASU.
Abdullahi reaffirmed the union’s commitment to pursuing its demands through lawful means and expressed hope that the government and university authorities would act before the ultimatum expires.
