THE Vice-Chancellor of Kaduna State University (KASU), Professor Abdullahi Musa, has dismissed claims by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-KASU) that more than 200 academic staff resigned over poor working conditions, describing the allegation as misleading and inconsistent with the realities within the university.
News Point Nigeria reports that the controversy followed a recent press conference by ASUU-KASU, during which the union alleged that more than 200 professors and lecturers had left the university over poor conditions of service and the failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor maintained that the claim did not accurately reflect the situation at KASU, as the university continues to record academic, research and institutional achievements which, according to management, demonstrate its capacity to attract and retain highly regarded scholars.
The union had subsequently issued a two-week ultimatum to the authorities, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike if its demands were not addressed.
However, the KASU management said the movement of academic and non-teaching personnel from one institution to another was a normal feature of the global university system and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of poor working conditions.
The management therefore urged ASUU-KASU to present figures relating to staff mobility objectively and avoid statements capable of creating unnecessary anxiety among students, parents and other stakeholders.
According to the university, its recent academic and research achievements are evidence of a growing institution capable of attracting and retaining distinguished scholars.
KASU cited the continued service of internationally recognised researchers, including Professor Ibrahim Inuwa Yahaya of the Department of Chemistry, Dr Daniel Yahaya Shagaiya of the Department of Mathematics and Dr Abdullahi Yusuf Zuntu of the Department of Physics, who are ranked among the world’s top two per cent of scientists.
Management also highlighted the Kaduna State Government’s investment of more than N290 million in resource verification and the accreditation of over 90 academic programmes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the university’s academic standards.
It further disclosed that the university had attracted more than £945,000 in research funding across different fields over the past three years.
KASU also listed several international collaborations secured since 2023, including partnerships with Benha University and Institut Sains dan Unjuk Kerja in Jakarta, cooperation with the Makkah International Centre for Qur’anic Guidance, as well as the establishment of the China-Nigeria Belt and Road Initiative Joint Laboratory.
The Joint Laboratory, according to the university, was established in collaboration with Zhejiang University and the Longquan Industrial Innovation Research Institute.
The university further disclosed that it had secured a N1 billion competitive research grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for commercial agriculture research and development.
On the issue of staff welfare, KASU management said the Kaduna State Government had cleared inherited salary arrears dating back to May 2022, paid SIWES allowances and continued to ensure the regular payment of monthly salaries.
The management also pointed to the Kaduna State Government’s support for students, including scholarships worth more than N1 billion and a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees.
It added that the government had also allowed students who were unable to pay their fees to sit for examinations.
The university said it remained committed to constructive engagement and dialogue, staff welfare and policies aimed at protecting the interests of both employees and students.
KASU added that it would continue to pursue the growth and stability of the institution while strengthening its academic standards, research capacity and relationship with relevant stakeholders.