By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
Academic and non-academic unions at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, have declared a two-week warning strike over the Katsina State Government’s failure to implement key agreements reached since 2020 concerning staff welfare and institutional autonomy.
Speaking at a joint press briefing held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the ASUU Secretariat within the university, Dr. Murtala Isah Kwara said the unions were forced to embark on the strike following what he described as the state government’s persistent neglect and lack of commitment.
The striking unions include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). They jointly accused the government of failing to address critical issues affecting the university’s operations and staff welfare.
According to the union leaders, the unresolved issues include the failure to implement a befitting salary structure for university workers, the alleged hijacking of the university’s official website — which they said disrupted registration, examinations, and academic data management — and the unilateral increase in tuition fees without proper consultation.
They also condemned the enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy on the institution, describing it as a violation of the University Autonomy Act, which grants universities control over their internal finances. In addition, they faulted the state government’s implementation of the new pension scheme without due consultation with the affected staff, contrary to established federal procedures.
“None of the agreements reached with the Katsina State Government since 2020 has been honoured, despite our patience and repeated appeals,” the unions stated. “We even granted an additional three weeks for the government to fulfil its promises, yet no visible progress has been made.”
The unions stressed that the strike was not driven by self-interest but aimed at defending the quality of education and the future of students in the state.
“Our struggle is not for personal benefit; it is for the survival of education and the well-being of our students,” the statement read, appealing for understanding and support from students, parents, and the Katsina public.
Meanwhile, the unions confirmed a positive development in their discussions with the Katsina State Health Insurance Agency (KACHIMA), which acknowledged staff grievances and expressed readiness to address them.
They, however, warned that failure by the state government to meet their demands at the end of the two-week warning strike would lead to an escalation of industrial action after further consultations.
