From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto State University Branch, has urged the Sokoto State Government to address outstanding issues concerning the non-payment of its members’ entitlements.
In a statement issued after its congress meeting on September 8, 2026, the union said it reviewed its earlier resolution of August 24, 2026, and assessed the government’s commitment to resolving the outstanding issues.
The statement, signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of ASUU-SSU, Comrade Dr. Bello Musa and Comrade Zulkallaini Shehu, respectively, said the union was informed that the state government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, met with its representatives on September 7.
According to the union, both parties reached and signed an agreement that the outstanding demands would be addressed within two weeks.
However, ASUU expressed concern, noting that the government had previously failed to honour agreements reached with the union.
The union recalled an agreement signed with the government on March 4, 2024, which included some of its demands, saying repeated appeals for the implementation of the agreement and payment of outstanding entitlements had yielded no result.
ASUU also said another agreement was reached with the government through the Ministry of Higher Education on April 28, 2026, under which the government requested two months to resolve the outstanding issues.
The union acknowledged that the government had partially implemented the salary component of the agreement, describing the move as a positive step.
However, it said several issues remained unresolved, including outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), third-party deductions, promotion arrears, arrears of the 25–35 per cent salary increase, and accumulated annual increment arrears.
The congress therefore resolved to accept the latest two-week timeframe given by the government.
It warned that failure to address the demands within the agreed period would compel the union to take action that could disrupt academic activities at the university, including statutory meetings involving its members.
ASUU appealed to the people of Sokoto to prevail on the government to fulfil its promises and sustain a harmonious industrial relationship at the university.
The union expressed hope that the government would honour its latest commitment and resolve the outstanding issues within the agreed timeframe.
