Jigawa university union gives government two weeks to avert strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities branch at Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa has threatened a full-scale strike unless the Jigawa State Government implements a new university salary structure within two weeks.

In a statement dated Sept. 1 and signed by branch chairperson Idris Chiromawa, the union said lecturers had spent roughly seven months on lower pay despite an approved salary package. It said other state-owned universities had implemented the agreement, while Jigawa had repeatedly delayed it.

The union said three letters to Higher Education Commissioner Yusif Chamo and House of Assembly Speaker Haruna Aliyu, as well as appeals through community leaders, had produced no dialogue. Its demands include implementation of the ASUU-federal government agreement, payment of arrears from January 2026, exemption from the state's Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System, and remittance of unpaid third-party deductions.

ASUU also called for payment of the 2024/2025 Earned Academic Allowance, responsibility allowances, annual increments withheld since 2023 and promotion arrears dating from 2024. It objected to a decision to deduct 0.7% from the statutory 2% local government contribution to the university.

“Should the Government fail to address these issues at the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, the union would be left with no option but to embark on a strike,” the statement said. The ultimatum expires in mid-September, leaving academic activities uncertain.

Chamo said the threat reflected a communication gap. He told reporters that virtually all the union's demands had been approved and were awaiting implementation, describing the development as unexpected given the government's investment in the institution.

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Should the Government fail to address these issues at the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, the union would be left with no option but to embark on a strike.