Trouble is brewing at Kaduna State University (KASU) as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to shut down the institution after more than 200 lecturers reportedly abandoned their jobs over poor welfare and unpaid benefits.
The KASU chapter of the union issued a two-week ultimatum to the Kaduna State Government and the university authorities to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement or face an industrial showdown.
The union’s chairman, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference in Kaduna, warning that failure to meet the demands could trigger a total and indefinite strike.
According to Abdullahi, the mass departure has affected lecturers across different academic ranks, including professors, with many reportedly moving to newer universities offering better conditions.
He blamed the exodus on poor remuneration, deteriorating welfare and the failure of KASU to implement the agreement which took effect in January 2026.
The agreement was designed to improve the working conditions and welfare of university lecturers across the country, but Abdullahi said KASU academic staff were yet to benefit from it.
He said the union had repeatedly written to the university management and governing council over the matter, while the university’s Visitor, Governor Uba Sani, had also been informed.
Abdullahi expressed frustration that more than eight months after the agreement was reached, KASU had still not commenced implementation, even as several federal and state universities had started paying the new benefits and, in some cases, announced plans to clear accumulated arrears.
He warned that continued delay would result in mounting salary arrears dating back to January 2026 and further widen the gap between KASU lecturers and their counterparts elsewhere.
The ASUU chairman also warned that the continued loss of experienced academics could cripple teaching, research and other academic activities at the university.
He said replacing highly experienced lecturers would not be easy, stressing that it could take years and require huge financial resources.
The union’s decision followed a congress meeting held on August 12, where members reportedly reviewed the worsening situation and resolved to declare an industrial dispute.
Abdullahi said the move was also in line with a resolution of ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9.
Beyond the national agreement, the union listed several unresolved issues at KASU, including university autonomy, excessive workload, unpaid promotion arrears, death benefits, group life insurance, wage awards and pension remittances.
Abdullahi said the two-week ultimatum was meant to give the government and university authorities a final opportunity to address the grievances before the union takes further action.
He appealed to Governor Sani, the university management and other stakeholders to intervene before the deadline expires, warning that industrial action would further disrupt the institution.
The union, he said, remained committed to resolving the crisis through lawful means but would not continue to tolerate what it described as worsening conditions for its members.
He also appealed to parents, students and other stakeholders to support efforts to prevent another university shutdown.
If the authorities fail to act within two weeks, KASU could be heading for an indefinite strike, with the lecturers’ exodus adding another layer to the looming crisis.
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