KASU Lecturers Seek Urgent Talks With Kaduna Government to Avert Fresh ASUU Strike.
Lecturers at Kaduna State University (KASU) have expressed readiness to engage the Kaduna State Government in immediate negotiations aimed at resolving outstanding welfare and institutional issues and preventing a fresh industrial dispute at the university.
The development comes after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), KASU chapter, issued a two week ultimatum to the state government and university authorities to implement and domesticate the 2025 Federal Government ASUU agreement.
The union warned that failure to make meaningful progress within the stipulated period could lead to a total and indefinite strike, raising concerns over the possible disruption of academic activities at the institution.
According to reports, ASUU KASU Chairman, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed the union’s position during a press conference in Kaduna on August 17, 2026. He said the union remained open to dialogue and wanted the outstanding issues addressed through engagement rather than industrial action.
Over 200 lecturers reportedly leave KASU
One of the major concerns raised by the union is the reported departure of more than 200 academic staff from KASU, including professors and other experienced lecturers.
Abdullahi attributed the exodus to poor remuneration, deteriorating working conditions and the delayed implementation of the 2025 agreement. He said many of the lecturers who left subsequently secured appointments at newer universities within and outside Kaduna State.
The union warned that continued loss of experienced academics could affect teaching, research and the university’s long-term institutional development.
Dispute centres on implementation of 2025 agreement
The 2025 Federal Government ASUU agreement, signed in January 2026 following negotiations concluded in December 2025, contains provisions aimed at improving the welfare and working conditions of university academics.
ASUU KASU says implementation has yet to begin at the institution, despite the passage of several months. The union has consequently demanded that the Kaduna State Government and university authorities take steps to domesticate and implement the agreement for academic staff in the state owned institution.
The union has also cited other unresolved matters, including university autonomy, excessive workload, promotion arrears, death benefits, group life insurance, wage awards and pension remittances.
A history of unresolved labour disputes
The latest development follows a series of labour disputes between ASUU KASU and the Kaduna State Government in recent years.
In 2025, lecturers embarked on industrial action over issues including withheld salaries, allowances and other outstanding entitlements. The strike was later suspended following government intervention and commitments to address some of the union’s concerns.
Channels Television reported in May 2025 that Governor Uba Sani approved a ₦50 million monthly standing order for staff welfare support and released ₦146 million towards some withheld salaries and SIWES related allowances.
TheCable also reported in April 2025 that the Kaduna Government had pledged to work with KASU management to resolve the lecturers’ grievances and find common ground with the union.
However, concerns over welfare, promotion arrears and the implementation of agreements have continued into 2026. The Guardian and Tribune reported earlier this year that ASUU KASU had threatened further industrial action over unresolved entitlements and welfare concerns.
Dialogue remains the immediate path to resolution
The latest position from ASUU KASU suggests that a negotiated settlement remains possible if the Kaduna State Government and university authorities respond within the union’s ultimatum.
For students and their families, the outcome of the discussions could have significant implications for the continuity of academic activities at KASU.
With the union warning of an indefinite strike while simultaneously signalling its willingness to negotiate, the immediate priority for all parties is to establish credible talks, clarify implementation timelines and address outstanding staff grievances before the dispute escalates.
The situation also highlights a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s state owned universities: balancing institutional autonomy, sustainable funding and staff welfare while maintaining uninterrupted access to quality higher education.