Gov Sani approves 70% salary increase for Kaduna tertiary institution workers

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has approved the implementation of 70 percent of the 2024 Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) for staff of all state-owned tertiary institutions.

The increase, effective from October 2025, is part of the administration’s efforts to promote industrial harmony, improve workers’ welfare, and strengthen the education sector.

The approval followed a high-level meeting between Governor Sani and leaders of the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions (JUTIKS), which resulted in the suspension of the month-long strike by academic and non-academic staff of Kaduna’s tertiary institutions.

The dialogue, held at the Government House in Kaduna, was facilitated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna State Council, led by Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, and attended by representatives from Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria; College of Education, Gidan Waya; and the Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery, including campuses in Kaduna, Kafanchan, and Pambegua.

The unions had embarked on strike on September 30, 2025, demanding the implementation of the 2009 CONPCASS/CONTEDISS salary structure, improved welfare, and better retirement benefits. In a joint press briefing after the meeting, union leaders commended Governor Sani for his “listening leadership, transparency, and genuine commitment to workers’ welfare and educational development in Kaduna State.”

As part of the outcomes of the meeting, Governor Sani approved the immediate implementation of 70 percent of the 2024 CONPCASS/CONTEDISS salary structure for both academic and non-academic staff.

He also endorsed the 65-year retirement age for academic staff and the 40-year service policy for non-teaching staff. The unions praised the governor for maintaining payment of the National Minimum Wage despite fiscal constraints and for disbursing ₦13.5 billion in gratuities, pensions, and death benefits to retirees.

Additionally, the unions acknowledged the 50 percent reduction in tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions, which has widened access to higher education, as well as the ongoing renovation, reconstruction, and upgrade of facilities.

They described Governor Sani as “a true pro-democracy advocate who upholds workers’ rights” and commended his prudence in managing the state’s finances, including a ₦5 billion monthly debt repayment inherited from the previous administration.

The union leaders emphasized that, in recognition of the governor’s sincerity and proactive engagement on their demands, they had resolved to suspend the strike with immediate effect.

They reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration with the government to ensure lasting industrial peace and sustainable growth in Kaduna’s tertiary education sector.

The joint statement was signed by Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, NLC Chairman, Kaduna State; Comrade Usman Shehu Suleiman, Chairman, JUTIKS/ASUP, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic; Comrade Shuaibu Dauda Adamu, Secretary-General, JUTIKS; Comrade Nuhu Yerima Christopher, Chairman, COESU, College of Education, Gidan Waya; Comrade Mahmud Aliyu Kwarbai, Chairman, NASU, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic; and Comrade Daniel Danboyi, Chairman, Academic Staff Union, College of Nursing.