The four in-house unions of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, have commenced a two-week warning strike effective November 3, following the state government’s failure to address their long-standing grievances.
The decision was announced in a statement jointly signed by Dr. Murtala Abdullahi, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UMYU chapter, on behalf of the four unions — ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
According to the statement, the unions had earlier submitted key issues leading to the dispute to both the University Governing Council and the Katsina State Government, but no meaningful action had been taken.
Abdullahi noted that despite an earlier understanding with the government on the matters, which border on conditions of service, institutional autonomy, and security of examinations and records, none of the agreements had been implemented.
He said the unions had exercised patience since 2020 and even granted the government an additional three weeks to meet its promises, yet received no positive response.
“This continued disregard by the state government clearly demonstrates a lack of seriousness and responsibility in addressing the plight of our members,” Abdullahi stated.
He explained that the warning strike was the unions’ last resort after exhausting all avenues of dialogue and appeal.
“We appeal to our students, parents, and the Katsina community for understanding and support. Our struggle is for the collective interest of quality education and the future of our children,” he added.
The statement warned that if, at the end of the two weeks, the government still failed to make tangible progress, the unions would reconvene to determine the next line of action.
Nigeria’s public university system continues to face recurrent industrial disputes, largely due to underfunding, poor working conditions, and unfulfilled government agreements, issues that have repeatedly disrupted academic activities across the country.
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