ASUU Embarks on Strike in Kano State Universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Kano State has declared an indefinite strike action, citing unresolved issues with the state government. The strike, which commenced on 30th May, affects all public universities in the state, including Bayero University Kano (BUK), Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), and Yusuf Maitama Sule University (YMSU).

According to the ASUU Kano State Coordinator, the decision to embark on the strike was reached after several failed attempts to negotiate with the state government. The union’s demands include improved funding for universities, payment of outstanding allowances, and the implementation of previously agreed-upon welfare packages for academic staff.

The strike action has disrupted academic activities in the affected institutions, with students expressing concerns over the potential impact on their academic progress. Many students have called on both ASUU and the state government to resolve their differences and ensure a swift resumption of classes.

In response to the strike, the Kano State Government, through the Commissioner for Higher Education, has appealed to ASUU to reconsider its decision and return to the negotiating table. The commissioner assured the public that the government is committed to addressing the concerns raised by the union and finding a lasting solution to the issues at hand.

This strike action in Kano State is part of a larger trend of labor disputes between ASUU and government authorities across Nigeria. In recent years, the union has embarked on several nationwide strikes to press for better funding, improved working conditions, and greater autonomy for universities.

As the strike continues, stakeholders in the education sector have emphasized the need for a speedy resolution to minimize the adverse effects on students and the overall quality of higher education in the state. The public remains hopeful that both ASUU and the Kano State Government will prioritize dialogue and compromise to end the strike and restore normalcy to the affected universities.

The lecturers said the university is on the brink of financial collapse following years of inadequate funding by the state government. In a statement on Wednesday, jointly signed by its chairperson and its secretary, Mansur Sa’id and Yusuf Gwarzo, respectively, ASUU said its complaint that the poor funding was suffocating academics has not been addressed.

“The Congress of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano Branch, convened on Wednesday, 29th May 2024, at Muhammad Sanusi Theatre, Main Campus. The Congress received the delegation of NEC on the ongoing struggle of the ASUU-YUMSUK branch is resolved as follows: “The congress agreed that all the issues presented to the National are still lingering and affirm their previous resolution for strike action.

“The congress also agreed to embark on two weeks warning strike and if any strong commitment from the government the branch will proceed to indefinite strike,” the statement said. ASUU had in November said the state government ignored repeated requests for a dialogue about the shortages in the university.

The union said its demands focused on three central issues – improving staff condition of service, adequate funding, and protection of the university’s autonomy and academic freedom.