Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University (KASU), Prof Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, has refuted the claims of the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), that 200 lecturers have resigned due to poor working conditions.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Prof Ibrahim Musa said that ASUU just manufactured figures as the ‘’claim is misleading and unsupported by the University’s records and should be disregarded by all and sundry.’’
The Vice Chancellor argued that ‘’staff movements arising from resignations, retirements, transfers and pursuit of other professional opportunities are normal within the university system and should not be presented without context, as evidence of deteriorating working conditions.’’
He challenged ASUU to provide verifiable evidence, including the identities of those who allegedly resigned, dates of resignations and the academics’ reasons for leaving Kaduna State University.
‘’Public discourse concerning an institution as important as KASU must be guided by facts and verifiable records, not sweeping assertions capable of creating unnecessary anxiety among students, parents and the University community,’’ he warned.
The VC pointed out that Governor Uba Sani has cleared the backlog of some salary arrears and has generally enhanced the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff since he assumed office.
‘’Over the last three years, the administration has released over N800 million for staff welfare, in addition to N146 million to clear withheld salaries and outstanding SIWES allowances inherited from previous administrations.
‘’KASU has consequently cleared these inherited withheld salary obligations, demonstrating Government’s resolve to address longstanding staff welfare issues,’’ the Vice Chancellor disclosed.
The statement revealed that Kaduna State Government, the University Management and KASU branch of ASUU have also established a N50 million monthly standing intervention to provide support to the University.
‘’In 2026 alone, Government has further disbursed over N200 million in overhead funding to support day-to-day operations, including laboratory chemicals and reagents, students’ field trips, examinations and other essential academic activities,’’ Prof Musa added.
According to him, Kaduna State Government ‘’has equally invested over N300 million in the accreditation of more than 57 academic programmes and resource-verification exercises for 60 postgraduate programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
‘’The University has also secured full accreditation for seven professional programmes from relevant regulatory bodies, including those responsible for Nursing and Midwifery and Physiotherapy, as well as full accreditation for its newly established Digital Learning Centre,’’ he added.
The VC pointed out that KASU’s academic and research capacity has now expanded significantly, with the establishment of 14 research centres and two specialised institutes, including the Digital Learning Institute, to advance multidisciplinary research, innovation, professional development and knowledge transfer.
‘’The University has also introduced professional development initiatives, including long-vacation training programmes for teachers and other professionals. KASU also secured a N1 billion competitive TETFund grant for commercial agriculture
‘’The University’s researchers have attracted seven high-profile international research grants in the last three years, alongside several national and institutional grants, reflecting the growing competitiveness of KASU’s research community,’’ he added.
The statement recalled that Governor Uba Sani has also prioritised access and affordability, by reducing tuition fees across Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, including KASU, thereby easing the financial burden on students and their families.
‘’This is complemented by the payment of over N1.6 billion in local and foreign scholarships to indigent students, supporting deserving Kaduna State students studying within Nigeria and abroad,’’ the statement recalled.
‘’KASU has equally expanded its international academic and research partnerships with institutions and organisations in Russia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, China and other countries, creating opportunities for collaborative research, academic mobility and capacity development,’’ the VC added.
The statement argued that ‘’these are concrete and measurable interventions that demonstrate the administration’s sustained commitment to staff welfare, academic excellence, affordability, research and the overall development of Kaduna State University.’’
The Vice Chancellor noted that University Management acknowledges that some welfare matters are still outstanding and it is committed to addressing them progressively and sustainably.
The statement therefore calls on ASUU-KASU to reconsider any action capable of disrupting the academic calendar and imposing avoidable hardship on students and parents, particularly when established channels of engagement remain open and measurable progress continues to be made.
Prof Musa advised ASUU to remain focused on the legitimate welfare interests of its members and not allow itself to be drawn into partisan politics or influenced by elements seeking to exploit genuine labour concerns for political advantage.
According to him, the welfare of lecturers, stability of the University and, above all, the education and future of students must remain paramount.
‘’The University Management believes that constructive dialogue, rather than disruption of academic activities, remains the most effective path to sustainable resolution. Industrial action should be a measure of last resort, particularly where Government has demonstrated willingness to engage and continues to commit substantial resources towards addressing outstanding issues,’’ he reiterated.
