Academic and non-academic staff of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Katsina, have commenced a two-week warning strike over unresolved welfare and administrative issues.
The action, which began on November 3, was announced in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities UMYU chapter, Dr. Murtala Abdullahi, on behalf of four unions in the institution.
The other unions include the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, the National Association of Academic Technologists, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
Dr. Abdullahi explained that the unions decided to withdraw their services after repeated efforts to get the state government to address key concerns yielded no results.
“We presented the critical issues affecting our members to the University Governing Council and the state government. Commitments were made, but none have been fulfilled,” he said.
He noted that the issues at stake include conditions of service, job security, protection of examination records, and the preservation of the university’s autonomy.
“These matters directly affect the welfare and future of our members. Unfortunately, the failure of the government to honour agreements reached since 2020 demonstrates a lack of seriousness,” Abdullahi added.
He said the unions had shown patience by giving the government additional time to meet its promises, but received no meaningful response.
“Our decision to embark on this warning strike was not taken lightly. It is a last resort after all dialogue channels have been exhausted,” he stated.
The unions appealed to students, parents, and the public to understand that the strike is aimed at safeguarding the quality of education and protecting the interests of the university community.
Abdullahi also noted that the unions would reconvene after the warning strike to determine further action if the issues remain unresolved.
