ASUU Raises Alarm Over Welfare Issues in Sokoto Tertiary Institutions

Concerns over lecturers’ welfare are resurfacing in Sokoto, with warnings that unresolved issues could soon affect academic activities in state-owned institutions.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for urgent government intervention, citing prolonged neglect of its members in Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the union said repeated appeals to authorities have yielded little progress.

The statement, jointly signed by
ASUU-SSU Chairperson, Dr Bello Musa, and SSUE Chairperson, Dr Shamsu Kabiru, noted that the situation is already straining industrial harmony.

“These issues have lingered for too long despite several reminders… addressing them will sustain the harmonious working relationship and enhance productivity,” the union stated.

ASUU outlined two key demands.
First is the immediate implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, including the payment of peculiar allowances tied to teaching and research.

The union pointed out that the Federal Government has already begun implementing the agreement in federal universities, urging Sokoto State to do the same.

Secondly, it called for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) owed to lecturers for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.

The union argued that lecturers in state-owned institutions should not be excluded, especially as salary structures are centrally negotiated within Nigeria’s system.

ASUU warned that continued inaction could heighten dissatisfaction among lecturers and disrupt the academic calendar in both institutions.

The development signals rising tension within Sokoto’s higher education sector, as unions continue to push for improved funding, fair compensation, and full implementation of existing agreements.

Attention is now on how quickly the state government responds, as delays could escalate the situation into industrial action.