ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike as Over 200 KASU Lecturers Quit

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University chapter, has warned of a possible total and indefinite strike following the resignation of more than 200 lecturers from the institution.

The chairman of ASUU-KASU, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, made the disclosure on Monday during a press conference in Kaduna.

He said the lecturers, including professors, had left KASU because of poor welfare, inadequate remuneration and the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement.

In response, the union gave the Kaduna State Government and KASU authorities a two-week ultimatum to implement and domesticate the agreement.

The union warned that failure to meet the demand within the two-week period would trigger a total and indefinite strike.

Abdullahi said a significant number of the departing lecturers had already secured jobs at newer universities within Kaduna State and in other parts of the country.

He said the development was largely driven by worsening conditions of service and declining staff welfare.

According to the ASUU chairman, the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement became effective in January 2026 and was expected to provide improved working conditions for university academics.

He, however, said KASU had yet to commence implementation despite the agreement having taken effect.

Abdullahi disclosed that ASUU-KASU had sent several letters to the university management and governing council demanding action. He said Governor Uba Sani, the Visitor to the university, had also been notified.

The union, he added, had held discussions with different stakeholders in a bid to prevent a breakdown of industrial relations.

But Abdullahi expressed frustration that more than eight months after the agreement was signed, there was still no implementation at KASU.

He noted that several federal universities and some state-owned institutions had already begun implementing the agreement, while others had provided timelines for settling accrued arrears.

The delay, he said, had left KASU academics among the least-paid university workers nationwide.

Abdullahi said the situation was especially concerning given KASU’s previous reputation for placing a strong emphasis on staff welfare.

He warned that failure to act would continue to increase salary arrears from January 2026 and could further accelerate the departure of experienced academics.

He stressed that the loss of highly qualified lecturers could undermine teaching, research and the university’s broader academic development.

“Replacing highly skilled academics would take years and require significant resources,” he said.

Abdullahi said the union’s congress met on August 12 and reviewed the situation before resolving to declare an industrial dispute.

He said the decision was consistent with a resolution reached by ASUU’s National Executive Council at its meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9.

According to him, the two-week ultimatum followed the union’s established procedures for resolving industrial disputes and was intended to give the authorities time to take meaningful action.

He also listed other unresolved issues affecting members, including university autonomy, excessive workload, promotion arrears, death benefits, group life insurance, wage awards and pension remittances.

The ASUU chairman urged the government and university authorities to urgently address the concerns to prevent an escalation of the crisis.

He said timely intervention remained crucial to maintaining peace and stability at KASU.

Abdullahi further appealed to parents and other stakeholders to support efforts to avert industrial action.

He reaffirmed ASUU’s commitment to pursuing its demands through lawful channels and expressed hope that the authorities would act before the expiration of the ultimatum.

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