The Kaduna State University (KASU) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for the comprehensive implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement. During a press briefing held on Friday, leadership from the academic body emphasized that adopting this pact significantly boosts personnel morale, fosters greater productivity, and solidifies healthy industrial relations within the tertiary institution.
The media address was jointly presented by Comrade Abubakar Abdullahi and Comrade Silas Amos Bakut, who serve as the branch chairman and secretary respectively. The union leaders recounted several previous interventions and welfare packages extended to academic personnel by the current state administration.
What are the key highlights of the union's commendation?
According to the representatives, this recent policy action marks a pivotal turning point for the growth of the institution, promising to drive overarching academic advancement. ASUU stated that the development reflects a genuine acknowledgment by the state government regarding the critical role lecturers play in delivering quality university education and fostering sustainable growth.
The union lauded both the state government and the KASU administration for adopting an exemplary approach during past industrial actions. Specifically, the executives noted that neither the union nor its individual members faced any intimidation, threats, or harassment throughout the period of agitation.
"Remarkably, our salaries were paid while the strike was still ongoing, and engagements between the union, the Government and University Management remained cordial, constructive and focused on addressing the fundamental issues in dispute," the officials disclosed.
How has the administration addressed legacy welfare challenges?
Beyond the latest agreement, the union acknowledged that Governor Uba Sani's administration has made substantial headway in resolving multiple long- standing welfare concerns inherited from previous years. Notable among these is the settlement of the 60 percent withheld salary from 2017, the disbursement of outstanding Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances covering 2016 to 2020, and the clearance of five months of withheld salaries spanning May to September 2022.
Furthermore, the state government advanced the sum of N300 million to clear Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) arrears for the 2016 through 2020 academic sessions. KASU's Governing Council and management are also collaborating with ASUU to resolve remaining death benefits and promotion arrears dating back to 2021.
What housing and cooperative interventions were announced?
Reviewing the administration's support over the past three and a half years, the union highlighted the allocation of approximately 10.2 hectares of land to the KASU-ASUU Multipurpose Cooperative Society for the establishment of the Academia Housing Estate. This mass housing project was conceived to benefit academic staff alongside other civil servants.
In addition to the land allocation, the state government approved a financial subsidy to reduce the acquisition cost for beneficiaries, significantly lowering the financial burden of homeownership for participating workers.
Concluding their remarks, the ASUU executives expressed profound gratitude to key stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Education and Negotiation Committee Chairman, Emeritus Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, as well as the Governing Council Chairman, Dr. Ibrahim Umar, pledging continued collaboration to elevate the institution's global standing.