The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has cautioned that it may embark on industrial action due to worsening welfare conditions in state-owned tertiary institutions in Sokoto State, unless urgent steps are taken by the government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ASUU branches at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education said lecturers have continued to face neglect despite repeated complaints to authorities.
The statement, signed by the ASUU-SSU chairperson, Dr Bello Musa, and the SSUE chairperson, Dr Shamsu Kabiru, explained that unresolved welfare issues are putting pressure on industrial harmony and could soon disrupt teaching and research if nothing is done.
“These issues have lingered for too long despite several reminders… addressing them will sustain the harmonious working relationship and enhance productivity,” the statement noted.
ASUU highlighted two key demands: the immediate implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement, including payment of peculiar allowances for teaching and research, which it said has already started at federal universities, and payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) owed for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.
The union stressed that lecturers in state universities should not be excluded, especially since salary structures are centrally negotiated under Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
It warned that continued delay in addressing these issues could worsen dissatisfaction among lecturers and eventually disrupt the academic calendar in both institutions.
Overall, the situation reflects growing tension in Sokoto’s higher education system, as academic unions nationwide continue to demand better funding, improved welfare, and full implementation of existing agreements.
