By Fatima Mukhtar
The Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina, has suspended its two-week warning strike following a successful agreement reached between the institution’s workers’ unions and the Katsina State Government.
The strike, which began on November 3, was jointly declared by four unions in the university, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). The unions had earlier accused the management and state authorities of neglecting several unresolved issues affecting staff welfare and university operations.
Among their major concerns were the takeover of the university’s ICT portal by a private firm, FlexiSaf Edusoft Limited, the need for an improved and appropriate salary structure for all categories of staff, and the implementation of other agreements previously reached with the government.
Following a series of negotiations, a committee set up by the Katsina State Government met with the unions, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that addressed most of their demands. As part of the process, the Chancellor of the university, Senator Ibrahim Ida (Wazirin Katsina), also intervened and appealed to the unions to suspend the strike in the interest of academic stability.
Despite suspending the industrial action, the unions noted that some issues particularly the outstanding 34 months of arrears owed to staff have not yet been resolved. They expressed optimism that the government would honour its commitments in the coming weeks.
The unions assured students and parents that they remain committed to maintaining industrial harmony and ensuring that academic activities continue without further disruption.
Academic activities are expected to resume fully on campus following the suspension.
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