KASU tackles ASUU over 200 lecturers’ resignation claim, reveals welfare, dev’t investments

The management of the Kaduna State University (KASU) dismissed claims by the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that about 200 lecturers have resigned over poor working conditions.

The KASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, described the allegation as misleading and unsupported by the university’s records, accusing ASUU of presenting inaccurate figures.

Musa said staff movements arising from resignations, retirements, transfers, and pursuit of other professional opportunities were normal occurrences in the university system and should not be portrayed as evidence of declining working conditions.

The KASU VC challenged ASUU to provide verifiable details of the alleged resignations, including the identities of affected lecturers, dates of resignation and reasons for leaving the institution.

“Public discourse concerning an institution as important as KASU must be guided by facts and verifiable records, not sweeping assertions capable of creating unnecessary anxiety among students, parents and the University community,” he said.

Musa said the administration of Governor Uba Sani had made significant investments in staff welfare and the development of the university since assuming office.

Musa disclosed that the Kaduna State Government released over N800 million for staff welfare in the last three years, in addition to N146 million used to clear withheld salaries and outstanding Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances inherited from previous administrations.

He added that the government, university management and KASU-ASUU had established a N50 million monthly intervention fund to support the institution.

“In 2026 alone, government has further disbursed over N200 million in overhead funding to support day-to-day operations, including laboratory chemicals and reagents, students’ field trips, examinations and other essential academic activities,” Musa stated.

The vice-chancellor also disclosed that over N300 million had been invested in accreditation of more than 57 academic programmes and resource verification exercises for 60 postgraduate programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He said the university had secured full accreditation for seven professional programmes, including Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, as well as its newly established Digital Learning Centre.

Musa further highlighted the expansion of KASU’s research capacity, noting that the university had established 14 research centres and two specialised institutes to promote innovation, professional development and knowledge transfer.

ASUU threatens strike over 200 lecturers’ exodus at Kaduna varsity

He said KASU had secured a N1 billion competitive TETFund grant for commercial agriculture, while researchers had attracted seven major international research grants within the last three years, alongside other national and institutional grants.

The KASU VC also noted that the Kaduna State Government had reduced tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions and provided more than N1.6 billion in local and foreign scholarships to support indigent students.

Musa added that KASU had strengthened international partnerships with institutions and organisations in countries including Russia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and China, creating opportunities for academic exchange and collaborative research.

While acknowledging that some welfare issues remained unresolved, Musa said the university management was committed to addressing them through continuous engagement.

He urged ASUU-KASU to avoid actions that could disrupt the academic calendar and negatively affect students, insisting that dialogue remained the best approach to resolving outstanding concerns.

“The welfare of lecturers, stability of the University and, above all, the education and future of students must remain paramount,” he said.

The vice-chancellor advised the union to focus on legitimate welfare issues and avoid being influenced by individuals seeking to exploit labour concerns for political purposes, stressing that industrial action should remain a last resort where constructive engagement is ongoing.