Africa
THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) Branch, has announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike starting Feb. 11 due to unresolved welfare concerns.
The union made the announcement in a letter signed by its Chairman, Dr Peter Adamu, and Secretary, Dr Peter Waziri, addressed to the national body seeking approval for the action.
The letter, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, highlighted the union’s decision to embark on the strike following the non-response from the Kaduna State Government regarding their grievances.
Some of the issues raised by the union include nonpayment of five months salaries from May to September 2022, 60 per cent September 2017 and other withheld salaries of academic staff.
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 pension from 2009 to 2019, promotion arrears from 2019 to 2023, and Group Life Insurance for deceased academic staff from 2020 to date.
The lecturers recalled that they had met with Gov. Uba Sani on Aug. 17, 2024, to discuss these matters, and the governor had promised to pay the outstanding entitlements.
The union, in a letter dated Aug. 20, 2024, through the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Mohammed Bello, reminded the governor of the promise to pay the arrears in instalments.
In an effort to resolve the issue, the union followed up with another appeal on Oct. 28, 2024, urging for a swift resolution of the welfare concerns.
On Dec. 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 have gone by without a single payment, the union further reminded the governor of his commitment in a letter dated Jan. 17, 2025.
“We are writing to remind you that today, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, marks 3 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.
With no response from the government, the union said it had no option but to proceed on indefinite strike to press for the resolution of the outstanding welfare issues. (NAN)
4th February, 2025.
C.E.
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