Strike: Three unions shut down Kaduna varsity despite court order

The Kaduna State University, KASU, has been shut down after three non-teaching staff unions began a seven-day warning strike.

This came despite an interim order issued by the National Industrial Court restraining them from embarking on industrial action.

The strike, which began at midnight on Tuesday, November 10, followed the alleged failure of the Kaduna State Government to address the unions' welfare concerns and implement agreements reached with them.

The strike is being coordinated by the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT.

The development came barely five days after Justice E.D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, issued an interim order restraining the unions and their officials from declaring or participating in any strike at the university.

The order, issued on November 5 in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/329/2026, followed a suit filed by the university, its Governing Council and Vice-Chancellor. The court adjourned the substantive application until November 18.

However, the unions proceeded with the strike after their seven-day ultimatum to the state government expired without a response.

In a letter dated November 9 and addressed to Governor Uba Sani, the unions said the ultimatum expired on November 8 without an invitation for dialogue or concrete action from the government.

“Sir, we wish to inform you that the seven-day ultimatum expired on Sunday, November 8, 2026, without any response, invitation for dialogue, or concrete action,” the letter stated.

The unions directed their members to withdraw their services during the strike, except those assigned to essential duties.

Their demands include full implementation of the 2026 agreements covering non-teaching staff, payment of outstanding arrears, the 25 per cent salary increase, promotion arrears and staff group life insurance.

They are also demanding respect for the university's autonomy and consequential adjustments arising from the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

Strike: Three unions shut down Kaduna varsity despite court order