“ASUU Suspends Strike After Governor’s ‘Empathetic’ Intervention – Is It Enough?”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Kaduna State University (KASU) has officially suspended its strike, following a successful intervention by Governor Uba Sani. In a statement, Dr. Peter Adamu, the chairman of KASU-ASUU, announced on Monday that the decision to end the strike was made on Saturday, highlighting the positive impact of the governor’s leadership.
The strike, which had affected the university, stemmed from longstanding issues that predated Governor Uba Sani’s administration. Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, the Commissioner for Education, explained that the dispute had been ongoing before the governor took office. However, he emphasized that Governor Sani’s usual empathy led to swift actions to address the concerns, not just of KASU-ASUU but of all tertiary institutions in Kaduna State.
Dr. Adamu praised the governor’s quick intervention, which led to the release of funds for the payment of 60 percent of the September 2017 withheld salaries and allowances for the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) for five sessions. Additionally, the government has committed to a clear timeline for the payment of several outstanding obligations, including the five months of withheld salaries from May to September 2022, promotion arrears, Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), pension remittances from 2009 to 2019, death benefits, and Group Life Assurance.
The ASUU chairman expressed gratitude for the governor’s efforts, noting that his intervention marked a shift from the darker days of the past when university staff members were often punished for participating in lawful strikes.
With the strike now suspended, both the university community and the state government are hopeful that the resolution will bring lasting peace and stability to Kaduna State’s higher education institutions.
