KASU-ASUU: KDSG sets up committee, approves N300m earned allowance

The Kaduna State Government has established a nine-member Negotiation Committee tasked with evaluating the demands of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other staff unions. The committee, headed by Commissioner of Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, was announced by Secretary to the State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu'azu Meyere.

Meyere revealed that Governor Uba Sani has approved a one-time payment of ₦300 million for Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), which comes after the state administration's efforts to address a debt of over ₦800 million in entitlements and allowances accumulated since 2016.

Besides the EAA payment, the government has also settled outstanding salaries, paid over ₦300 million for accreditation of academic programs, released funds for SIWES supervision allowances, and established a ₦50 million monthly standing order for the systematic settlement of arrears. The Negotiation Committee, which has four weeks to deliver its recommendations, will address the demands of ASUU, SSANU, NASU, and NAAT, as well as review the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).

The committee aims to provide practical, equitable, and financially sustainable solutions to the issues at hand. The Secretary to the Government urged all unions to engage in constructive dialogue, emphasizing that the government remains open to negotiations and committed to preserving uninterrupted academic activities.