The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, has commended the Kaduna State Government for addressing key challenges affecting the institution, even as it urges further intervention on outstanding issues.
Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, ASUU-KASU chairman, made the remarks during a press briefing in Kaduna, where he clarified that the union’s position was not to censure the government but to highlight areas requiring urgent attention to strengthen the university.
“Where you have done something, we commend you, and where there is an issue, we bring it to your attention to address,” Abdullahi stated.
He acknowledged that the government had resolved three of approximately ten issues previously raised by the union, including matters related to salaries and allowances, while seven remain outstanding.
The chairman particularly praised the government’s review of a previous decision on school fees, which ASUU had opposed due to its potential burden on students. “When the current government came about, they reviewed the decision and we commend them for that,” he said.
Abdullahi stressed that the union’s interventions extend beyond member welfare to protecting the university system and ensuring Kaduna State’s tertiary education remains competitive.
Despite prevailing challenges, he lauded KASU’s performance, noting that the institution compares favourably with federal and first-generation universities. “We go to places and we beat them, hands down,” he declared.
Describing KASU as a legacy institution, Abdullahi urged sustained government support, improved staff welfare, and adequate funding to retain academic talent and maintain standards. “Roads would come and go. Physical infrastructure would not live more than 30 to 50 years. But KASU is an institution we hope and pray will still be here for the next 100 or 200 years,” he remarked.
On the union’s two-week ultimatum, Abdullahi clarified that ASUU was not eager to resort to industrial action, emphasising that dialogue remained the preferred path. “Even if the government calls us now, we are ready to move. Anything that will bring peace to the system, stability, that is what we want,” he said.
He further appealed to the government to implement the new Federal Government-ASUU agreement, which could benefit both staff and administration through improved funding and management.
The chairman urged the state government to view the outstanding challenges as an opportunity to strengthen KASU and cement a lasting educational legacy. “The government has the opportunity to write its name in gold by actually fixing a problematic system they inherited,” he said.
Abdullahi cautioned that Kaduna, historically recognised as a centre of learning, must remain at the forefront of educational development and not allow other states to overtake it in the sector.