From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone has urged the federal government to act in good faith and resolve outstanding issues promptly so as to avert a renewed crisis in the public universities.
Prof. Abubakar Sabo Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Sokoto Zone stated this while briefing newsmen on Thursday at NUJ Press Centre Secretariat.
NEC suspended the warning strike as a reciprocal gesture and allowed a one‑month window for renegotiation on the understanding that the government would act in good faith.
We expect that this opportunity will be used to secure a swift and comprehensive resolution.
It is now the government’s responsibility to seize this opportunity and resolve all outstanding matters promptly so that students remain in school.
NEC is disappointed that education is not being prioritised; it is being treated as a commercial commodity rather than a social good essential for sustainable national development.
State universities in our zone face serious, institution‑specific problems caused by the actions or inactions of governors and visitors.
Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto (SSUES) has operated without a legally constituted governing council, leading to undue interference in university affairs.
Sokoto State University (SSU) continues to contend with unpaid third‑party and union deductions and outstanding promotion and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) arrears.
Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology, Aliero (AFUSTA) in Kebbi State suffers from non‑implementation and non‑payment of promotion and EAA arrears and other governance issues.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU) in Katsina State faces non‑payment of salaries at the approved scale and an attempted external hijack of its portal, contrary to university law.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru (FUAZ), is the only university in Nigeria that was established and commenced operations without a take‑off grant.
The remaining days of the one‑month window must be used judiciously to secure a holistic settlement that improves the living and working conditions of academics.
Contrary to claims of fiscal constraint, revenue data show significant increases.
States received ₦3.92 trillion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2022 and ₦5.81 trillion in 2024, an increase of over 62 per cent.
The Federal Government’s share rose from ₦3.42 trillion in 2022 to ₦4.65 trillion in 2024, an increase of over 70 per cent.
These figures indicate that the obstacle to resolving the renegotiation is political will, not a lack of funds.
ASUU calls on traditional rulers, community leaders, students, the NLC and civil society to continue urging the government to honour agreements, prioritise education and provide lecturers with a living wage.
ASUU remains committed to constructive engagement and to protecting the future of Nigerian higher education.
