The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kano Zone, has raised concerns over what it described as the Federal Government’s sluggish approach to renegotiating key agreements aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s public university system.
Addressing journalists on Monday at the ASUU Secretariat, Bayero University, Kano, Zonal Coordinator Comrade Abdulkadir Muhammad said the union’s position followed deliberations at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on November 8 and 9 at Taraba State University.
He noted that lecturers across the zone—which comprises Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Federal University Dutse; Northwest University, Kano; and Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa—were increasingly frustrated by the government’s failure to honour past agreements.
Muhammad recalled that ASUU had embarked on a two-week warning strike on October 13, which was suspended on October 21 after an emergency NEC meeting in Abuja to allow for “meaningful and fruitful engagements” with the government.
“Unfortunately, the progress since then has been disappointing. Government officials have employed tactics that undermine negotiations and misinform the public. Our hope for an amicable resolution is increasingly being dashed,” he said.
Although the union acknowledged some efforts by the government — such as the partial payment of promotion arrears and third-party deductions — it insisted that critical issues remain unresolved, including the welfare of academics, improved working conditions, and measures to curb the growing brain drain in the university sector.
Muhammad warned that the one-month ultimatum earlier issued to the government was nearing its expiration, raising the possibility of another nationwide shutdown of universities if the issues are not addressed promptly.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, trade unions, students, parents, and other stakeholders to prevail on the government to act swiftly and prevent the looming collapse of the country’s tertiary education system.
