Alhaji Rabiu Yunusa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, conveyed this commitment during a recent press briefing. He assured the public that the Ministry of Education and the management of KASU are prepared to meet with ASUU representatives again with the aim of finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the current impasse.
Alhaji Rabiu recalled that a prior understanding had been established with the university lecturers, and the necessary approvals were in the process of being finalized before ASUU proceeded with the strike. This suggests that progress had been made, and the government is keen to build upon that foundation.
Addressing the core of the lecturers' demands, Alhaji Rabiu stated, ‘’The outstanding demands of ASUU is about N4 billion and it predated this administration. But the Governor promised to pay all their allowances in batches, given the financial situation of Kaduna State.’’ This acknowledges the legitimacy of the lecturers' claims while also highlighting the state government's financial constraints and proposed phased approach to settling the arrears.
The Permanent Secretary cautioned that the continuation of the strike action would be detrimental to the significant progress that KASU has achieved under the current administration. He emphasized the potential setbacks to the university's standing and development if the industrial action persists.
Alhaji Rabiu lauded Governor Uba Sani's efforts in elevating KASU's status as one of the leading state-owned universities in Nigeria. He specifically highlighted the Governor's instrumental role in facilitating the accreditation of nine science courses at the institution.
‘’The Governor expended over N290 million to the university, to facilitate the National Universities Commission(NUC) accreditation. This shows that the Governor has the progress of KASU at heart," Alhaji Rabiu affirmed, underscoring the government's financial commitment to the university's academic standards.
He further added, ‘’The Ministry of Education is very grateful to Governor Uba Sani for all that he is doing for the education sector. The Governor always meets our demands. The KASU chapter of ASUU should know that he keeps to his promise.’’ This statement aims to reassure the striking lecturers of the Governor's sincerity and track record in fulfilling commitments.
It is worth noting that Governor Uba Sani, during his tenure as a Senator, played a pivotal role in facilitating the construction of the Faculty of Engineering at KASU's permanent site, which is currently underway. This intervention is considered the most significant infrastructural development for any state university in the region, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the institution's growth.
The Kaduna State Government's expressed willingness to re-engage with ASUU offers a glimmer of hope for a swift resolution to the strike, which has disrupted academic activities at KASU. The proposed meeting between the government, university management, and ASUU will be crucial in finding common ground and ensuring the smooth resumption of academic pursuits for the students of Kaduna State University.