The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yusuf Maitama University, Kano, has expressed concerns about an impending crisis with the Kano State Government, citing neglect of its demands.
In a statement jointly signed by Branch Chairman Comrade Mansur Said and Secretary Comrade Yusuf Ahmed Gwarzo on Wednesday, the union highlighted three critical issues affecting its members: the improvement of conditions of service, the advancement and acceleration of the University’s development through sustainable funding, and the reinforcement of University Autonomy and Academic Freedom.
The union stated that it felt compelled to bring these issues to the public’s attention after numerous attempts to engage the state government failed.
Regarding conditions of service, ASUU demanded the immediate payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), totaling N178,705,735.91, and Consequential Adjustment Arrears of N111,321,792.18. They also sought the implementation of the newly-approved Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II) effective from January 1, 2023, which had already been implemented in federal universities but received no positive response from Kano State Government (KNSG).
Additionally, ASUU requested the payment of a provisional Wage Award of N35,000 for six months, approved by the Federal Government, which civil servants of the state had already received, but university members were yet to receive.
In terms of University Funding, ASUU urged the government to expedite ongoing projects and supplement TETFUND funding for academic staff training. They highlighted the University’s budgetary challenges, with only a 46% budgetary performance in 2023, and called on the Visitor to improve funding.
Regarding University Autonomy and Academic Freedom, ASUU called for the reconstitution of the University Governing Council, stressing its strategic importance in accordance with the law and its absence’s detrimental effect on University administration.
ASUU appealed to the Visitor to the University to prioritize resolving these issues for the sake of industrial harmony.