Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Workers Begin Two-Week Warning Strike Over Unmet Demands

The four in-house unions at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, have declared a two-week warning strike effective from November 3, 2025, over the state government’s failure to address longstanding welfare and administrative concerns.

A statement released in Katsina by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UMYU chapter, Dr. Murtala Abdullahi, confirmed that the strike was jointly endorsed by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

According to Abdullahi, the unions had previously reached an understanding with the state government to resolve key issues affecting members, including conditions of service, job security, and university autonomy. However, despite repeated assurances since 2020 and an additional three-week grace period, none of the agreements had been implemented.

He criticized the government’s continued silence, describing it as a sign of “disregard and lack of seriousness” toward the plight of university workers.

The unions said the warning strike was a last resort after exhausting all dialogue channels. They appealed to students, parents, and the public for understanding, noting that the action was necessary to protect the future of education in Katsina State.

They also warned that if the government fails to act within the two-week window, the unions would reconvene to determine further steps, which could include a full-scale strike.

The situation adds to the wave of industrial unrest across Nigerian universities in 2025, driven by poor funding, unpaid entitlements, and unfulfilled government agreements.