The Kaduna State Government has condemned the ongoing strike by the Kaduna State University (KASU) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as an act of sabotage.
University lecturers began the strike on Tuesday over unresolved issues with the state government, including unpaid salaries and allowances.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Education, Muhammad Sani-Bello, the government asserted that the dispute predated Governor Uba Sani’s administration. He stated that the governor had already taken steps to address the concerns raised by ASUU regarding state-owned tertiary institutions.
The statement criticised ASUU for embarking on industrial action before allowing negotiations to be fully resolved. It warned that the strike would not only disrupt KASU’s academic calendar but also undermine progress made in the state’s education sector.
ASUU’s key grievances include the non-payment of five months’ salaries from May to September 2022 and Earned Academic Allowances from 2015 to 2020. The government acknowledged these claims but maintained that Governor Sani had committed to resolving them through a structured repayment plan.
The Commissioner noted that the governor had agreed to meet with ASUU representatives upon his return from an official trip. However, he accused the union of pursuing a hidden agenda to roll back educational advancements achieved in the last 20 months.
Governor Sani has proposed that outstanding debts be cleared through an instalment payment plan, citing the state’s financial constraints. Despite this offer, the government criticised ASUU for refusing to reconsider its position, warning that continued disruption could harm students and the broader education sector.