Workers’ unions at Kaduna State University have stepped up pressure on the Kaduna State Government and the institution’s management to resolve outstanding welfare issues and implement the provisions of the 2026 agreement reached between the Federal Government and non-teaching university staff.

The demand was made by the Joint Action Committee comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), KASU branch, in a communiqué issued after a meeting at the university’s union secretariat in Kaduna.

The unions specifically called for the immediate and full implementation of the 2026 Federal Government agreement with non-teaching staff, stressing that agreements reached between government and recognised unions should be honoured without unnecessary delay.

The 2026 agreement, signed on June 29, provides for a 35 per cent upward review of emoluments through the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), improved earned allowances, enhanced staff development opportunities and protection of non-teaching positions.

Beyond the agreement, the JAC demanded payment of outstanding earned allowances, particularly excess workload allowances for eligible staff, promotion arrears, pension arrears, group life insurance and outstanding wage awards.

The unions also demanded the implementation of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments applicable to university workers.

According to the JAC, resolving the outstanding financial obligations is necessary to protect staff welfare and maintain industrial harmony at the university.

The workers further appealed to the Kaduna State Government to substantially increase funding for KASU, warning that inadequate financing could affect teaching, research, innovation, infrastructure and accreditation.

They also called for stronger administrative, financial and academic autonomy for the institution, arguing that greater autonomy would improve efficiency, transparency, accountability and academic excellence.

The JAC expressed concern over an ongoing industrial dispute involving another union at the university and the Kaduna State Government.

It urged Governor Uba Sani, who is also the Visitor to KASU, and other stakeholders to resolve the dispute amicably and quickly to prevent the disagreement from spreading to other unions and disrupting academic and administrative activities.

The unions warned that failure to address the outstanding issues could have consequences for students, parents and university workers, while stressing that consistent implementation of agreements was important for rebuilding trust and sustaining industrial peace.

They nevertheless acknowledged areas where the Kaduna State Government had responded positively to their concerns and urged the government to maintain dialogue with the unions and resolve the remaining demands.

The JAC also called on its members to remain united and calm while the leadership continues to engage the government and university management on their demands.