The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa (SLUK) branch, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Jigawa State Government to implement the new university salary structure or face a full-scale industrial action.
The threat was contained in a press release dated 1 September, and signed by the ASUU-SLUK chairperson, Idris Chiromawa.
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According to the union, members had exercised patience while operating under lower pay for roughly seven months following the approved new salary package.
ASUU-SLUK noted that while several other state-owned universities across the country have since implemented the agreement, the Jigawa State Government has continuously delayed the process.
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The union said despite sending three formal letters to the Commissioner for Higher Education, Yusif Chamo, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu, and engaging respected community leaders, its appeals for dialogue have been met with silence.
Core demands and grievances
ASUU criticised the operational failures of the state’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System (IPPMS).
The union described the platform as ineffective, incompatible with university operations, and requested an immediate exemption in compliance with university law.
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The union outlined its primary demands, which include: immediate implementation of the ASUU-Federal Government agreement and full payment of accrued arrears from January 2026 to date.
There is also the exemption of the institution from the IPPMS platform to accommodate university peculiarities and immediate remittance of all unremitted third-party salary deductions, alongside the release of the 2024/2025 Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
Others are settlement of selective responsibility allowances, annual increments withheld since 2023, and promotion arrears owed to staff (including the professorial cadre) since 2024.
“A review of the state government’s decision to deduct 0.7 per cent from the statutory 2 per cent Local Government contribution to the university, urging sustainable funding solutions for sister institutions instead.”
ASUU said it has exhausted all peaceful and administrative channels for constructive dialogue.
“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 read.
The two-week ultimatum, which took effect on 1 September, 2026, is set to expire mid-September, leaving academic activities at the state-owned university hanging in the balance.
Government reaction
However, in its response, the state government stated that the two-week ultimatum issued by ASUU was the result of a communication gap between both parties.
The commissioner, Mr Chamo, told reporters on Wednesday that virtually all of the union’s demands have been approved and are merely awaiting implementation.
Mr Chamo described the development as unexpected given the government’s ongoing investments in the tertiary education sector.
“Since the inception of Governor Umar Namadi’s administration, the state has been committed to uplifting the standard of education—from addressing teacher shortages to developing vital infrastructure across our tertiary institutions,” the official stated.
Mr Chamo pointed to major projects at the university.
“Governor Namadi recently conducted an on-site inspection of a ₦10 billion project at the institution, which includes the construction of the Faculty of Medicine, the completion of three female hostels, and the development of a specialised Wetland Research Centre alongside several other ongoing initiatives”.
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Addressing staff welfare and financial obligations, Mr Chamo stated that the state had already made significant progress in clearing outstanding arrears.
“In terms of welfare, we have done our best to settle outstanding arrears. It came as a surprise that the union decided to embark on strike action,” the official added, attributing the dispute to a breakdown in dialogue.
“The entire issue stems from a communication gap between the union and the government, as steps were already being taken to address all their demands.”
Regarding the implementation of the agreement between the Federal Government and the ASUU, Mr Chamo explained that the state received relevant correspondence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) just last week, he said the document was immediately forwarded to the universities’ leadership to ensure the financial requirements are factored into the upcoming budget.
“To resolve the impasse quickly, the state government has convened an emergency meeting involving top officials, including the Attorney-General, the Accountant-General, and the Commissioner for Higher Education, alongside union representatives.
“Government officials expressed confidence that the dispute will be resolved amicably once all parties review the current progress and budgetary plans”, Mr Chamo said.
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