By Femi Oyelola
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) Branch, has described Governor Uba Sani’s full implementation of the new conditions of service for academic staff as a significant milestone in the development of the institution.
The position was made known during a press briefing addressed by the Branch Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Abdullahi, and the Secretary, Comrade Silas Amos Bakut, alongside other union officials, on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the ASUU-KASU Secretariat.
The union said the briefing was organised to update the press and the general public on the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN)-ASUU Agreement at KASU, as well as progress made in addressing other outstanding staff welfare issues.
“We sincerely commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State and Visitor to Kaduna State University, for this remarkable achievement and demonstration of commitment to the welfare of academic staff.
“This laudable intervention represents a significant milestone in the development of the university and is expected to enhance staff morale, improve productivity, strengthen industrial relations and contribute to the overall advancement of the institution,” the union stated.
Comrade Abdullahi said the development demonstrated the state government’s recognition of the vital role academic staff play in promoting quality university education and sustainable development.
He noted that the implementation would improve staff productivity and strengthen industrial harmony.
Beyond the 2025 agreement, the union said the Kaduna State Government had made significant progress in addressing inherited welfare challenges that had persisted for several years.
According to the briefing, the government had addressed the 60 per cent withheld salaries for 2017, paid outstanding Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances covering 2016 to 2020, and settled five months of withheld salaries covering May to September 2022.
The union further disclosed that the government had released N300 million towards settling Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) arrears for the 2016–2020 academic sessions, while the Governing Council and university management were working collaboratively with the union to resolve outstanding death benefits and promotion arrears dating back to 2021.
The ASUU-KASU leadership commended Governor Uba Sani and the university management for demonstrating leadership, courage and political will, noting that the interventions had brought considerable relief to members and renewed their confidence in constructive engagement.
The union said the governor had, through these actions, written his name in gold in the university’s history. It also expressed optimism that sustained commitment would further strengthen this legacy.
On policies aimed at promoting staff welfare, the union thanked the governor for approving approximately 10.2 hectares of land for the KASU-ASUU Multipurpose Cooperative Society to develop the Academia Housing Estate, a project designed to benefit union members and other civil servants.
It added that Governor Uba Sani had approved a subsidy of N4 million per beneficiary, amounting to approximately N400 million for the project. The intervention reduced the cost of a housing unit from N40 million to N36 million, making homeownership more affordable.
The union also commended the state government and university management for their handling of the industrial action, stating categorically that members had not been subjected to intimidation, threats or harassment at any point.
The briefing further noted that, remarkably, salaries were paid while the strike was still ongoing, while engagements remained cordial, constructive and focused on resolving fundamental issues. The union described this as a significant departure from past experiences.
Comrade Abdullahi and Comrade Bakut particularly acknowledged the contributions of the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Chairman of the Negotiation Committee, Emeritus Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo; the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Ibrahim Umar; the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Professor Usman Abubakar; and other members of the committees.
The union concluded that, while celebrating the achievements, it remained committed to constructive engagement with the state government to resolve all outstanding issues.
It also urged the government to extend similar consideration to other unions within the university to promote sustainable industrial peace and institutional unity.
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