The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasarawa State University, Keffi Branch, has declared that its ongoing strike will continue until the state government provides a clear, written, and time-bound payment plan for outstanding staff entitlements totaling approximately N7.93 billion.
At a press conference in Keffi on Monday, union leaders presented a detailed breakdown of accumulated financial obligations owed to academic staff, including five months’ Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) arrears amounting to N1.64 billion, Earned Academic Allowance arrears of N2.08 billion spanning three academic sessions, and 25% and 35% salary increment arrears totaling N2.86 billion.
The text of the conference was jointly signed by ASUU NSUK Chairperson, Dr. Zubairu Abdulmumini Loko and Secretary, ASUU NSUK Branch, Comrade Gambo Dauda.
ASUU NSUK Chairperson, Dr. Loko, emphasized that the union’s position is based on facts and documented obligations, clarifying that the struggle is not for personal enrichment but about implementing legitimate agreements and establishing sustainable funding for the university.
According to him, additional liabilities include N70,000 minimum wage arrears (N533.9 million), N35,000 wage award arrears (N578.9 million), and 2025 promotion and annual increment arrears (N239.1 million).
He said that the figures exclude pension obligations, counterpart contributions, and other non-monetary provisions.
The union expressed concern over the university’s increasing reliance on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to meet statutory obligations.
He noted that the management reportedly allocates approximately N1 billion through the Council Committee on IGR to settle various liabilities, including pensions, allowance arrears, and death benefits, while augmenting monthly salaries with N150 million from IGR.
“This arrangement is neither sustainable nor desirable. When significant portions of IGR are diverted to salaries and accumulated liabilities, resources available for teaching, research, infrastructure, and laboratory development are inevitably reduced. A university cannot develop sustainably under such a funding structure,” Loko said.
The union also highlighted the urgent need for domestication of the Pension Law and payment of government counterpart contributions.
Loko said that retired staff, who served the university and state for decades, deserve dignity in retirement, calling the current arrangement where pension obligations compete with limited IGR unacceptable.
Beyond financial obligations, the ASUU NSUK also raised issues regarding university governance, including the proper conduct of elections for Heads of Departments and Dean of the Postgraduate School; demanding transparency, accountability and adherence to democratic principles in institutional governance.
While saying that the strike decision was not arbitrary, the union said that the congress has resolved to sustain the strike after observing that despite management’s explanations, there was no clear, definite, written and time-bound template specifying payment amounts, timelines, or funding sources.
Loko said, “We have no interest in keeping the university closed indefinitely. However, we cannot abandon the legitimate rights and welfare of our members or allow accumulated obligations to remain unresolved indefinitely.”
The union appealed to Governor Abdullahi Sule and relevant authorities for urgent intervention, emphasizing that the crisis threatens the sustainability of Nasarawa State University and the future of thousands of students.
He said, “The issue before us is bigger than ASUU. It concerns the sustainability of Nasarawa State University and the future of thousands of students.”
The ASUU NSUK, therefore, demands the immediate constitution of a credible engagement involving the state government, university management, governing council, and the union to produce a written implementation template clearly stating total liabilities, payment amounts, funding sources, payment timelines and a schedule for clearing all outstanding arrears.
The union expressed regret for the disruption caused to academic activities but maintained that the struggle is ultimately for a financially sustainable university system capable of delivering quality teaching, research, and community service.
He assured that the union remain open to meaningful dialogue and a peaceful, amicable and sustainable resolution of the disputes.
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