The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kano Zone, has expressed frustration over what it described as the Federal Government’s slow pace in renegotiating agreements aimed at revamping Nigeria’s public university system.
The warning came on Monday during a press briefing at the ASUU secretariat, Bayero University, Kano. The Kano Zone covers Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Federal University Dutse; Northwest University, Kano; and Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa.
Speaking at the briefing, Zonal Coordinator Comrade Abdulkadir Muhammad said the statement followed reports from the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on November 8 and 9 at Taraba State University. He said union members were disappointed with the government’s failure to honour previous commitments.
Comrade Muhammad recalled that ASUU had earlier embarked on a two-week warning strike on October 13, which was suspended after an emergency NEC meeting in Abuja on October 21. The suspension was meant to allow “meaningful and fruitful engagements” with the government.
“Unfortunately, the progress since then has been disappointing,” he said. “Government officials have employed tactics that undermine negotiations and misinform the public. Our hope for an amicable resolution is increasingly being dashed.”
While acknowledging some government efforts, including payment of partial promotion arrears and third-party deductions, the union insisted that major issues remain unresolved. These include the welfare of university academics, working conditions, and policies to curb the brain drain in the tertiary education sector.
Comrade Muhammad warned that the one-month ultimatum earlier issued to the government is almost expiring, raising the prospect of another nationwide university shutdown if the matters are not addressed.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, trade unions, students, parents, and all concerned Nigerians to intervene and urge the government to avert a total collapse of the country’s tertiary education system.