Kaduna varsity unions demand implementation of 2026 agreement

The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and National Association of Academic Technologists, Kaduna State University branch, has demanded the immediate implementation of the 2026 Federal Government agreement with non-teaching staff of public universities.

The unions also called on the Kaduna State Government to pay outstanding earned allowances, promotion arrears, pension arrears, wage award and the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments applicable to university workers.

The JAC made the demands in a communiqué issued on Tuesday after its meeting at the union secretariat of the Kaduna State University, Kaduna.

The unions said honouring agreements reached between the government and recognised university unions was essential to maintaining industrial peace and preventing further disputes within the university system.

They urged the state government and the KASU management to take immediate steps to implement the provisions of the 2026 agreement applicable to workers of the institution.

The communiqué, jointly signed by the SSANU and JAC Chairperson, Sa’adiyya Mustapha; SSANU Secretary, Nicholas Yakubu; NASU Chairman, Nina Ochigbo; NASU and JAC Secretary, Dahiru Musa; NAAT Chairman, Aliyu Garba; and NAAT Secretary, Bala Aboi, also listed several outstanding welfare issues.

The unions demanded the payment of earned allowances, particularly excess workload allowance, outstanding promotion arrears, group life insurance for university staff, pension arrears, the salary increments and outstanding wage award.

The JAC said, “The JAC therefore calls on the Kaduna State Government to urgently address these outstanding issues in the interest of industrial harmony and staff welfare.”

The PUNCH reports that the latest demands came against the backdrop of growing industrial tension within Kaduna State University, with university-based unions raising concerns over the implementation of agreements and the welfare of workers.

The development also followed an ongoing industrial dispute between a sister union in the university and the Kaduna State Government. The dispute has raised concerns among other unions over the possibility of an escalation that could disrupt academic and administrative activities at the institution.

Against this background, SSANU, NASU and NAAT said they were seeking to prevent a further deterioration of industrial relations by urging the government and the unions involved in the dispute to return to the negotiating table and honour agreements already reached.

The JAC stressed that failure to resolve outstanding issues could undermine industrial harmony and affect students, parents and workers.

On the funding of KASU, the unions urged the state government to substantially increase financial support to the institution, arguing that inadequate funding could undermine teaching, research, innovation and accreditation.

The JAC said adequate funding was required to provide and maintain infrastructure, support research and technological development, improve staff welfare, meet accreditation requirements and provide essential teaching and learning facilities.

The unions also called for greater administrative, financial and academic autonomy for the university, saying this would promote efficiency, transparency, accountability and academic excellence.

The JAC expressed concern over the ongoing industrial dispute between a “sister union” in the university and the state government, urging Governor Uba Sani, who is also the Visitor to KASU, and other stakeholders to resolve the dispute amicably and without delay.

It warned that failure to resolve the dispute could affect students, parents and staff and potentially trigger further industrial action by other unions.

“In the interest of the students, parents, staff and overall development of education, and also to avoid escalation of industrial dispute to other unions, the JAC calls on the Kaduna State Governor and Visitor to the University, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, and all relevant stakeholders to make every effort to resolve the dispute amicably and expeditiously,” the communiqué stated.

The unions maintained that consistent implementation of agreements with university-based unions was necessary to build trust and ensure industrial stability.

They, however, commended the Kaduna State Government for areas where it had responded positively to their demands and urged it to sustain its engagement with the unions by resolving the outstanding issues.

The JAC also appealed to its members to remain united and calm, assuring them that its leadership would continue to pursue their legitimate interests through dialogue with the government and university management