Due to unresolved welfare problems, the Kaduna State University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared preparations to go on an indefinite strike beginning on February 11.
The union made this announcement in a letter to the national body requesting approval for the move, which was signed by its chairman, Dr. Peter Adamu, and secretary, Dr. Peter Waziri.
The letter, which the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja was able to obtain on Tuesday, emphasised the union’s decision to go on strike after the Kaduna State Government failed to respond to their complaints.
The nonpayment of five months’ salary from May to September 2022, 60% of September 2017 salary, and other withholding salaries of academic personnel are among the grievances brought up by the union.
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Other grey areas included nonpayment of Earned Academic Allowance from 2015 to 2020, and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme from 2016 to 2023.
The lecturers also accused the government of failure to remit pensions from 2009 to 2019, promotion arrears from 2019 to 2023, and Group Life Insurance for deceased academic staff from 2020 to date.
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The lecturers recalled that they had met with Gov. Uba Sani on August 17, 2024, to discuss these matters, and the governor had promised to pay the outstanding entitlements.
To resolve the issue, the union followed up with another appeal on October 28, 2024, urging for a swift resolution of the welfare concerns.
On December 17, 2024, the governor held another meeting with the management and unions of tertiary institutions, where he announced that payment modalities would begin within three weeks.
After three weeks had gone by without a single payment, the union further reminded the governor of his commitment in a letter dated January 17, 2025.
“We are writing to remind you that today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, marks three weeks since the meeting was held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, and we are yet to receive any information on the payment modalities as promised by His Excellency.
“We are appealing for your prompt intervention to consolidate on the gains of the previous deliberations and agreement made, to forestall industrial dispute and crisis in KASU,” the letter said.
