Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Kaduna State University is bleeding academic talent at an alarming rate, with the institution's chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities confirming that more than 200 professors and other lecturers have resigned over poor conditions of service and the continued failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement. The union has now issued a two-week ultimatum to the university authorities, Governing Council and the Kaduna State Government, warning that failure to act will trigger a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike.
According to ASUU-KASU Chairman, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which provides for improved salaries and conditions of service for university lecturers, took effect in January 2026, but eight months later, KASU has yet to commence implementation. "At a rate that we are losing more than 200 professors at a time, professors and others alike. It's frightening," Abdullahi said, describing the situation as a haemorrhage of experienced manpower. He warned that replacing experienced academics would not be easy and that the continued exodus could affect the university's academic programmes and overall reputation.
The union has listed several unresolved issues beyond the federal agreement, including university autonomy, excessive workload, promotion arrears, death benefits, group life insurance coverage, payment of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards, and pension remittances. Abdullahi said the continued delay in implementing the agreement had resulted in KASU academic staff becoming among the lowest-paid university workers in the country, despite the institution's previous reputation for prioritising staff welfare. According to the union, several other universities have either implemented the agreement or announced timelines for its implementation, while KASU staff remain without the benefits.
The union's Congress, at a meeting held on August 12, 2026, resolved to declare an industrial dispute and embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike in line with the resolution of the National Executive Council of ASUU, which met at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9. The union said it had written several letters to the university management, Governing Council and the Visitor to the university, Governor Uba Sani, urging them to domesticate and implement the agreement in accordance with the law establishing the institution.
A lecturer at KASU, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed to Premium Times that academic staff are facing serious hardship. "This call is needed, and the government must act now," the lecturer said, urging the government and relevant authorities to intervene before the situation worsens. The Kaduna State Government has, however, disputed the union's claims. The Vice-Chancellor of KASU dismissed ASUU's assertion that 200 lecturers have resigned, arguing that the administration had released over N800 million for staff welfare over the last three years, in addition to N146 million used to clear withheld salaries and outstanding allowances.
Despite the government's rebuttal, the union has maintained its position, warning that continued delay would lead to the accumulation of salary arrears dating back to January 2026. ASUU-KASU has appealed to parents, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the matter to help avert the looming strike. The union said it remained open to dialogue but stressed that the authorities must treat the issues with urgency and provide satisfactory responses to avert industrial disharmony and preserve peace and stability at the institution.
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