‘We can trek at 3am’: ASUU begs Kaduna govt, declares readiness for negotiation

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Kaduna State University (KASU) has appealed to the state government to urgently address the union’s concerns.

The branch’s chairman, Abubakar Abdullah, made the appeal at a press engagement in Kaduna on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Abdullah declared ASUU’s readiness to negotiate with the government to resolve the issues affecting the university and avert industrial action.

Abdullah said ASUU did not desire a strike, stressing that shutting down the university would negatively affect students, lecturers, and the institution.

He reiterated the union’s readiness to engage the government at any time, describing dialogue as the best path toward resolving the dispute.

He said: “Even if it is 3 a.m., we will trek wherever we are to engage and have solutions to the problems at hand.

“We are ready to move whenever the government calls us for engagement and negotiation.”

The ASUU chairman said the union had made several efforts to resolve the issues amicably, even after timelines contained in previous agreements elapsed.

Abdullah said the two-week ultimatum issued by the union remained valid, describing it as a national directive which the chapter could not disregard.

Abdullah appealed to the Kaduna State Government to use the remaining period to engage the union and resolve the outstanding issues.

He said ASUU had identified several challenges affecting KASU, including staff welfare, funding, academic freedom, and university autonomy.

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According to him, improving the conditions of service remains critical to retaining competent lecturers and strengthening the university.

He said the number of lecturers who left KASU was an approximation covering a period of three to four years.

Abdullah explained that staff moved to institutions offering more favourable conditions, adding that the trend should concern stakeholders.

“We are not here merely to criticise the government, but to bring problems to its attention for correction,” Abdullah added.

The ASUU chairman commended the Kaduna State Government for addressing some longstanding issues affecting KASU and other tertiary institutions.

Abdullah, however, said more interventions were needed to address the systemic challenges confronting the university.

Abdullah described KASU as one of Kaduna’s major legacies, urging the government to give the institution the necessary support to thrive.

He urged the Kaduna State Government to implement the new union’s agreement with federal government, describing it as the union’s top priority.

He said the agreement covered staff welfare, university administration, and funding, adding that its implementation would benefit the entire university system.