ASUU crisis: ‘We are ready for negotiation’ – Kaduna govt

The Kaduna State Government says it is ready to engage in negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, to resolve the issues raised by the union.

The government said constructive dialogue and mutual understanding remained the most effective means of addressing the concerns of the university’s academic staff, urging ASUU-KASU to embrace established channels of engagement rather than resorting to industrial action.

The Principal Private Secretary to the Kaduna State Governor, Professor Bello Ayuba, stated this on Wednesday at a press briefing at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

He urged ASUU to reconsider the two-week ultimatum over the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, saying, “let’s build not destroy.”

Professor Ayuba said the state government remained committed to addressing legitimate concerns affecting KASU and would continue to engage the union and university management towards finding lasting solutions.

He, however, said industrial action should remain a measure of last resort, particularly because of its potential impact on students and the overall academic activities of the university.

According to him, the government believes that “constructive dialogue remains the most effective path to sustainable resolutions of contending issues”, adding that the administration would not abandon negotiations with the union.

Professor Ayuba said the government was also concerned about claims that about 200 professors and other academic staff had left KASU due to poor conditions of service, describing the figure as inconsistent with available records.

He disclosed that between January 2024 and August 2026, a total of 59 academic staff had left the university, including two professors, two associate professors, six senior lecturers, 10 lecturers I, 15 lecturers II, 12 assistant lecturers and 12 graduate assistants.

He explained that staff movements in the university system could result from voluntary resignation, transfer of service, retirement, career progression, the establishment of new universities, and the completion of temporary, visiting, sabbatical and contract appointments.

On staff welfare, Prof. Ayuba said the Governor Uba Sani administration had spent more than N896 million on staff welfare at KASU and settled outstanding personnel liabilities amounting to more than N1 billion.

He said the government had also agreed to discuss these issues with ASUU-KASU through the appropriate channels.

Professor Ayuba, therefore, urged the union to return to the negotiating table, assuring that the government remained open to discussions aimed at protecting the interests of academic staff while safeguarding the future of students and the stability of the university.