Kaduna State Government has constituted a nine-member Negotiation Committee to comprehensively engage and review the demands of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other staff unions.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, also disclosed that Governor Uba Sani has approved a one-off ₦300 million payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
Dr. Meyere, pointed out that ‘’the intervention demonstrates the administration’s commitment to staff welfare, industrial harmony and the stability of the University through constructive dialogue and sustainable solutions.’’
According to him, ‘’the ₦300 million Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) intervention builds on sustained efforts by the Uba Sani administration to address a backlog of over ₦800 million in accumulated entitlements and allowances dating back to 2016.’’
The statement listed other interventions that the Governor Uba Sani administration made in the last three and half years, to include the settlement of outstanding withheld salaries.
Besides that, the present administration has paid ‘’ over ₦300 million for the accreditation of academic programmes and resource-verification exercises for postgraduate programmes,’’ Dr Meyere added.
The Secretary to the State Government also listed the release of funds to clear outstanding SIWES supervision allowances; and the establishment of a ₦50 million monthly standing order dedicated to the systematic settlement of outstanding arrears.’’
The statement disclosed that Negotiation Committee will be chaired by the Commissioner of Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, adding that the Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Mrs. Patience Fakai; and Commissioner of Youth, Mrs. Gloria Ibrahim are members.
Other members of the committee include the Chairman, Local Government Service Board, Professor Ladan Sharehu; Director-General, Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria; Vice-Chancellor of KASU, Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa; and Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Ibrahim Umar.
The Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, is also a member, while the Permanent Secretary, Establishments Services and Training, will serve as Secretary of the committee.
The committee which has four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit recommendations to the Government, is mandated to review the demands of ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT.
The statement further said that the committee will examine the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA); compare KASU’s situation with prevailing practices in other state universities; and determine the financial implications of implementing demands arising from the 2025 ASUU–Federal Government agreement.
The Secretary to the Government noted that the committee is expected to recommend practical, equitable and financially sustainable options for resolving the outstanding issues.
He urged all the unions to embrace dialogue, negotiation and collective bargaining rather than industrial action that could disrupt the academic calendar and adversely affect students and their families.
The statement reiterated that government’s ‘’ channels of engagement remain open and assured the university community of its commitment to strengthening KASU, improving staff welfare and safeguarding uninterrupted academic activities.’’
KASU-ASUU: KDSG sets up committee, approves N300m earned allowance