Academic activities have been brought to a standstill across Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions following the declaration of an indefinite strike by the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions Kaduna State.
The action, which commenced on Tuesday, has left classrooms empty and students stranded.
The institutions affected by the shutdown include Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, and the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, where both academic and non-academic staff have withdrawn their services.
The union insists the strike became inevitable after repeated attempts to resolve lingering issues with the state government failed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, JUTIKS accused the Kaduna State Government of backtracking on agreements reached in August 2025.
The contentious issues revolve around the implementation of a unified salary structure as well as an extension of the retirement age for both teaching and non-teaching staff.
Union leaders stressed that several ultimatums, warning strikes, and formal reminders had been served on the government, but these were consistently ignored.
They maintained that the strike was the only option left to press home their demands after months of unproductive engagement with officials.
“The strike, according to the union, will continue indefinitely until the government fully implements the CONPCASS/CONTEDISS salary structure and enforces a 65-year retirement age for all staff, in line with regulatory guidelines,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, students and staff have voiced frustration over the development, warning that prolonged inaction could severely disrupt the already fragile academic calendar.
Many have called on the government to engage the union sincerely in dialogue, noting that continued silence may deepen the crisis in the state’s education sector.
