Kaduna varsity denies ASUU claim of 200 academics’ mass exit

Kaduna State University (KASU) management has dismissed claims by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that more than 200 academic staff have exited the institution because of poor service conditions. The university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, stated that staff movement between universities is a common global occurrence and should not be misinterpreted as a sign of inadequate working conditions at KASU.

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The movement of academic and non-teaching staff between institutions is a global phenomenon and should not be misconstrued as evidence of poor working conditions.

ASUU-KASU had previously issued a two-week ultimatum to the Kaduna State Government regarding the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement and other welfare issues. The union's chairman, Abubakar Abdullahi, expressed grave concern over the alleged loss of over 200 professors and experienced academics, describing it as a "haemorrhage of experienced manpower" that could take years for the university to recover from.

However, KASU management urged the union to present its grievances objectively. Musa argued that attributing every staff departure to the university's conditions of service is misleading and could unnecessarily alarm the institution. He defended KASU's academic environment by pointing to the retention of internationally recognized researchers, including those ranked among the world's top two percent of scientists, and over £945,000 in research funding secured in the past three years.

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At a rate that we are losing more than 200 professors at a time, professors and others alike. It’s frightening. No system survives this kind of haemorrhage of experienced manpower.

Furthermore, Musa highlighted significant investments by the Kaduna State Government, including over N290 million for resource verification and accreditation of more than 90 academic programs. The university also boasts international partnerships and has secured a N1 billion competitive research grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for commercial agriculture research. These achievements, he stated, are a testament to the engagement and continued service of KASU's academic staff.

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These accomplishments are a testament to the engagement and continued service of our distinguished academic staff.