In a move that signals a temporary truce in the long-running dispute between academic staff and the Kaduna State Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Kaduna State University (KASU) has suspended its strike.
The decision was made public in a joint statement released on Friday by the acting Chairman of ASUU KASU, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi, and the union’s Secretary, Dr. Peter M. Waziri.
According to the union, the suspension is not an end to the ongoing issues but a strategic decision to give the government a final opportunity to act on promises made during recent negotiations.
The statement read, “Let it be on record that the suspension of the ongoing strike is in line with ASUU’s protocol and procedures. Following the current spate of negotiations with the Kaduna State Government, Congress of ASUU KASU resolved that there is a need to once again give the Government the benefit of doubt by shifting grounds to accommodate what was being offered.
“The strike was originally triggered by the state government’s failure to honor an earlier Memorandum of Action (MoA). However, recent negotiations led to key concessions, including partial payment of withheld salaries and SIWES (Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme) allowances. Payment of withheld salaries from May to July 2022 in installments starting May 2025.
“Other agreement reached include Promotion arrears to be paid from June 2025. Wage awards and minimum wage adjustments to begin in June 2025 after further negotiations.
“Submission of updated Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) claims from 2016–2024 within two weeks to determine payment terms. Setup of a pension remittance recovery committee within two weeks.
“Payment of Group Life Assurance premiums by September 2025 and installmental payment of death benefits from August 2025.
“Granting of 50% financial autonomy over Third Party Funds to KASU, with spending subject to recommendations by a joint management-union committee.
“A Monitoring and Implementation Committee, comprising representatives from the government, university management, and ASUU, will oversee the enforcement of the agreement.”
The union appealed to the public to hold the government accountable for the implementation of the newly signed agreement.
“We appeal to the general public to impress on Government to fulfill its own end of the bargain in the spirit of industrial harmony,” it said.
