ASUU KASU chapter begins indefinite strike over unpaid salaries

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Kaduna State University has announced plans to commence an indefinite strike on February 11 due to unresolved welfare issues with the state government.

In a formal notice signed by Chairman Peter Adamu and Secretary Peter Waziri, the union sought approval from its national body for the industrial action.

According to the letter obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, the strike stems from the Kaduna State Government’s failure to address several grievances raised by lecturers.

Among the key concerns are the non-payment of five months’ salaries from May to September 2022, 60 percent of September 2017 salaries, and other withheld wages. The union also cited the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances from 2015 to 2020 and outstanding funds for the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme from 2016 to 2023.

Additionally, ASUU raised concerns over unremitted pension contributions from 2009 to 2019, unpaid promotion arrears from 2019 to 2023, and unresolved Group Life Insurance payments for deceased staff since 2020.

The union recalled a meeting with Governor Uba Sani on August 17, 2024, where he assured them that their outstanding entitlements would be paid. Despite a follow-up letter on August 20, 2024, and further appeals in October and December 2024, no progress has been made.

A subsequent meeting on December 17, 2024, where the governor promised that payment modalities would be implemented within three weeks, also ended without any action.

On January 17, 2025, ASUU issued a reminder to the governor, urging immediate intervention to prevent industrial action. However, with no response from the state government, the union has resolved to proceed with the strike.

ASUU has stated that the strike will remain in effect indefinitely until all outstanding welfare issues are addressed.