The management of Kaduna State University has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, KASU chapter, to suspend its two-week warning strike, saying the intervention of the state government has provided a fresh opportunity to resolve the lecturers’ grievances.
The appeal came on Friday, barely 24 hours after ASUU-KASU commenced the warning strike following a meeting of its members over the non-implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government and other issues affecting their welfare.
In a statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, the university management urged the lecturers to reconsider the industrial action in view of the steps already taken by the state government to address their concerns.
“Management urges ASUU-KASU to give the ongoing dialogue every opportunity to succeed and to reconsider the suspension of the warning strike, particularly in view of the concrete steps already being taken by the Kaduna State Government to address the issues under discussion,” the VC stated.
The management said it was concerned about the impact of the strike on students, particularly those who had travelled from different parts of Kaduna State and other parts of the country to pursue their education at the university.
It warned that every disruption to the academic calendar could affect students’ studies, families and future plans.
The university management also acknowledged the intervention of the state governor and Visitor to KASU, Uba Sani, saying the governor had continued to engage with issues affecting the institution.
According to the statement, the governor had constituted a nine-member committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo, to engage with the issues raised by the lecturers and submit appropriate recommendations within one month.
“The administration has continued to engage with the concerns affecting the University and has taken practical steps towards finding solutions,” the statement added.
The management said the constitution of the committee demonstrated the government’s willingness to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
It urged the union to take advantage of the intervention rather than allow the dispute to further disrupt academic activities.
“Management appreciates these interventions and the willingness of the Visitor to keep the doors of dialogue open. We believe this presents a genuine opportunity for Government, the University and the unions to work through the outstanding matters in a structured and constructive manner,” the VC said.
The PUNCH reports that the development followed the decision of ASUU-KASU to embark on a two-week warning strike after its members expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of agreements and demands relating to the university.
The union had also raised concerns over the exodus of academic staff from the institution, among other issues, warning that the situation was capable of undermining the quality of teaching and learning at the university.
The KASU management, however, had earlier disputed the union’s claim on the scale of the exodus, saying 59 academic staff left the institution between January 2024 and August 2026.
Despite the disagreement, the two sides have continued to signal willingness to negotiate.
While appealing for an end to the strike, the management assured students and parents that it was working towards an early resolution of the dispute.
“To our students and parents, we understand the uncertainty and concern that disruption to academic activities creates. Management assures you that every reasonable effort is being made to achieve an early resolution and ensure the restoration of normal academic activities,” it stated.
The Vice-Chancellor further pledged that the university would continue to engage the government and the unions while placing the welfare of staff and students at the centre of its decisions.
“We will continue to communicate honestly with Government, engage sincerely with our unions, and place the welfare of our staff and students at the centre of our decisions,” Musa said.
