The Kaduna State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities says it is ready to return to the negotiating table with the Kaduna State Government as it seeks to resolve the issues threatening industrial harmony at the institution.
The Chairman of ASUU-KASU, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, made the position known on Thursday at a press conference in Kaduna, stressing that the union was prepared to engage the government at any time if such discussions could produce lasting solutions.
“Even if government calls us now, we are ready to move. Anything that will bring peace and stability to the system is what we want,” Abdullahi said.
The renewed willingness to negotiate comes against the backdrop of a two-week ultimatum issued by the union over the implementation and domestication of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and other outstanding welfare concerns.
Abdullahi said the ultimatum followed a directive from the union’s national leadership but expressed optimism that meaningful dialogue could resolve the issues before the deadline expires.
The chairman stressed that ASUU-KASU was not seeking to shut down the university, noting that a strike would have consequences for lecturers, students and the institution.
“We don’t want to go on strike. We don’t want to shut down the university because we know the implications. We want peace and stability in the university,” he said.
At the centre of the dispute is the implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, which the union says would significantly address staff welfare and conditions of service.
Abdullahi said ASUU-KASU had previously presented 10 issues to the authorities, with three already resolved. He said the remaining seven had continued to be discussed for almost two years without a complete resolution.
The outstanding issues include university autonomy, excessive workload, promotion arrears, death benefits, group life insurance, wage awards and pension remittances.
The dispute has also been heightened by the union’s concerns over the reported departure of more than 200 academic staff, including professors, from the university. ASUU-KASU had warned that the loss of experienced academics could affect the institution’s ability to maintain stability and academic quality.
However, the Kaduna State Government has also expressed its willingness to engage the union. The Principal Private Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Prof Bello Ayuba, recently urged ASUU-KASU to embrace dialogue and established channels of engagement, assuring that the government was committed to resolving the issues and preventing disruption of academic activities.
Abdullahi welcomed the opportunity for renewed engagement and assured the government that the union would negotiate in good faith.
“Anything that will bring peace and stability to the system, we are ready for it. We are ready to sit down with government and find solutions to these problems,” he said.
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