ASUU members in Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi State Varsities threaten strike action
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU) in three state universities have threatened to down tools soon, if their demands are not urgently met.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto that this came to the fore on Wednesday in Sokoto at a press conference convened by the Sokoto Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Abubakar Sabo.
According to him, their grievances are on the non implementation of the 2025 ASUU/FGN Agreement by the authorities in Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology Aliero in Kebbi State, Umaru Musa Yaradu’a University Katsina, and Zamafa State University, Talata Mafara.
Prof. Sabo said only two of the five Universities in the zone have impartially implemented the agreement.
He added, “We are particularly having issues with three State Universities in ASUU Sokoto Zone, namely; Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology Aliero (AFUSTA), Umaru Musa Yaradu’a University Katsina (UMYUK), and Zamafa State University, Talata Mafara (ZAMSUT).”
Prof. Sabo, therefore, urged the governments of the three affected states to urgently do the needful by implementing the agreement to avert the unpalatable consequences of an “eventual, inevitable strike action”.
He added, “As resolved during our Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the ASUU National Scretariat, Comrade Festus Iyayi Complex, University of Abuja, on 21st June, 2026.
” We therefore wish to present our position on the implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement as well as other issues affecting our university system and the nation at large.
“Our Branches notes with deep concern over lack of implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU.
“It may interest you to know that despite the public presentation of the Agreement in January 2026 and notifying our various State Governments and University Management, the matter did not yield any positive response, thereby creating room for bureaucratic delays, inconsistencies and lack of willingness to implement the agreement.
“The NEC and Zone observes that several State universities are yet to fully implement the salary components of the Agreement, including the mainstreaming of Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances (CATA), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), and Professorial Allowances into the monthly salary structure as agreed.
“We wish to bring to your notice that several State Universities have enjoyed the implementation of the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement namely: SAZU, EKSU, BOUESTI, UNIOSUN, BSU, OOU, SSU and SSUES among others.
“We therefore, call on the State Governments to faithfully implement every component of the Agreement in the interest of industrial harmony and stability in the universities.III.”
Prof. Sabo stated that the NEC and Sokoto Zone are seriously disturbed by the continued neglect of unresolved welfare issues affecting it members in these Universities.
He added, ” These include:Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology Aliero (AFUSTA), that is: Unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) from 2014 to date for Academic Staff of the University.
“We wish to bring to the notice of general public that the academic staff of the University has accumulated promotion arrears.”
According to the ASUU Coordinator, the annual salary increment, which was supposed to be automatic every year has not been paid to their members, and this led to accumulation of its arrears, among others.
On Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina (UMYUK), Prof. Sabo said that the branch maintains a cordial relationship with the Visitor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, the Executive Governor of Katsina State.
“His administration has continued to pay the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) as one of the commitments he inherited from his predecessor. This is highly commendable.
” The Branch is also pushing for the payment of the arrears of the 25% and 35% and minimum wage consequential adjustment for the period of 36 months.
“Ever since the emergence of the ASUU-FGN 2025 Agreement, the Branch has written to the Government for the implementation of the said agreement. It has engaged all the relevant stakeholders, including the University Council and Management.
“Efforts have been made to clarify all the areas that require the commitments of the government in the Branch’s submission.
” As at this moment, the government has demonstrated readiness for discussions with the Union on the ways to expedite the implementation of the agreement.
“It is our hope that the government will fast-track these discussions so that implementation of the agreement will start immediately to avert any industrial crisis in the Branch,” he added.
Prof. Sabo stated that the .Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara (ZAMSUT)1 has a backlog arrears of promotion from January 2025 to date.
He continued, ” Unremitted third-party deductions.We call on the State Governments to treat academics with dignity, fair treatment and prompt payment of their lawful entitlements.
“The continued delay in addressing these issues will led to brain drain in our Universities.
He added that ASUU as a Union rejects several education policy pronouncements by the government among the particularly concerned are:a.
Prof. Sabo said, “The reversal of the mother-tongue policy in early childhood education without adequate empirical justification;b.
* The proposed establishment of a foreign affiliated University by the Government under the Transnational Education framework, which could undermines our local universities thereby weakening our higher educational system;c.
” The Union frown at the Government compulsory enrolment of academics into the Nigeria Education Repository Databank (NERD) without proper consultation with relevant stakeholders.
“The NEC and Zone observed absence of Governing Council in some State Universities which consequently affects good governance and effective University leadership as well as entire University system in general.
“We are therefore, calling on the Government to take proper measures by allowing merit based University leadership appointments guided by due process, accountability and transparency.”
According to Prof. Sabo, the ASUU Sokoto Zone worries over the increased worsening insecurity ranging from banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal conflicts as well as economic hardship and political tension across Nigeria, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
He.continued, “These disrupt the educational activities and threaten the safety of our members, students and the host communities, thereby causing constant fear and uncertainty.
“We call on the governments to urgently prioritise the protection of lives, property and address poverty and unemployment for meaningful national development.
“ASUU Sokoto Zone calls on the State Governments to urgently and faithfully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement and address all outstanding issues affecting academics staff in our universities.
“We therefore appeal to patriotic Nigerians, parents, students, civil society organisations and all stakeholders to support the struggle for a functional, adequately funded and globally competitive public university system within our States.
“While ASUU remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement, the union will not fold its arms while agreements are ignored and the university system is pushed towards collapse.
“ASUU remains committed to constructive engagement and to protecting the future of Nigerian higher education.
“We urge the government to act in good faith, resolve outstanding issues promptly and avert a renewed crisis in our public universities.The struggle continues!!.”
