The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) branch, has issued a warning to the Nasarawa State Government over what it described as the persistent neglect of critical issues affecting academic staff, cautioning that industrial harmony may not be sustained if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the union said the briefing was convened to highlight longstanding concerns that remain unresolved despite repeated engagements with authorities.
“Unless immediate steps are taken by the Nasarawa State Government to defray all outstanding arrears and address our demands, industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed,” said the branch chairperson, Abdulmumini Loko.
The union outlined a series of demands, including the immediate implementation of a 40 percent salary increase reportedly agreed between ASUU and the Federal Government, improved funding for the university, and the payment of professorial allowances.
Loko also called for the settlement of outstanding financial obligations, including arrears of Earned Academic Allowance, unpaid salary increments of 25 percent and 35 percent, as well as arrears tied to the ₦70,000 minimum wage and a ₦35,000 wage award.
“We hereby call on the Nasarawa State Government to urgently address these issues to restore staff morale and ensure effective teaching, research, and infrastructural development,” he said.
Additional demands include the domestication of the contributory pension scheme with prompt remittance of government contributions, enforcement of the compulsory retirement age for professors, regular constitution of visitation panels, and the payment of full salaries as pensions to retired professors.
Loko warned that the continued delay in addressing these matters could have far-reaching consequences for the institution and the wider education system.
“The continued delay in addressing these legitimate demands has serious consequences, including decline in the quality of education, increased brain drain among academic staff, disruption of academic activities, and erosion of staff welfare and morale,” he said.
While reaffirming the union’s preference for dialogue, he noted that patience among members is wearing thin.
“ASUU NSUK remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement. However, the patience of our members is not infinite. We therefore urge the Nasarawa State Government to act decisively and responsibly in resolving these issues without further delay,” he added.
Loko stressed that the union may be compelled to take further action if the situation remains unresolved.
“Failure to do so will leave the union with no option but to take all lawful steps necessary to protect the interests of its members and preserve the integrity of the university system,” he said.
The dispute reflects broader, longstanding tensions between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and government authorities over funding, staff welfare, and the implementation of agreements. These disagreements have historically led to repeated disruptions in Nigeria’s university system, often affecting academic calendars and student outcomes.
In state-owned institutions such as Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the challenge is compounded by funding structures tied to state government policies, which can slow the implementation of agreements reached at the federal level.
Education stakeholders have consistently warned that prolonged disputes contribute to declining standards and the migration of skilled academics to better-funded institutions abroad, further straining the country’s higher education system.
