By ABDUL AHMED (A. A.) RUFUS

ASUU Gives Sokoto Government Two Weeks to Honour Agreements, Threatens Strike

Union Sets Two-Week Deadline

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto State University (SSU) chapter, has given the Sokoto State Government two weeks to implement outstanding agreements reached with the union.

The union warned that it could declare an indefinite strike if the government fails to meet its demands within the period.

The position followed a meeting involving the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, other government and university management officials, and ASUU representatives.

The meeting took place after the expiration of an earlier two-month period given to the government to address the union’s outstanding concerns.

Fresh Agreement After Earlier Delays

In a statement signed by the branch Chairman, Dr. Bello Musa, and Secretary, Zulkallaini Shehu, ASUU said the latest meeting produced another two-week implementation timeline.

According to the union, the Ministry of Higher Education promised to communicate its demands to the Visitor of the university, the Sokoto State Governor.

However, ASUU members expressed concern over the new timeline.

The union said previous agreements had not been fully honoured, raising doubts about whether the latest commitment would produce a different outcome.

It recalled that its demands formed part of an agreement signed with the state government on 4 March 2024.

Two-Month Deadline Ends With Partial Implementation

ASUU said it had earlier reviewed its resolution of 24 August 2025, over the government’s response to the lingering issues affecting its members.

The union said it later incorporated issues arising from the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement into its discussions with the Sokoto government.

A further agreement was reached through the Ministry of Higher Education on 28 April 2025.

The government requested two months to resolve the outstanding matters.

At the end of that period, however, the union said the government had only partially implemented the salary component of the agreement.

ASUU acknowledged the step and commended the government for it.

The union also noted that Sokoto State University became the first state university in the North-West to partially implement that component of the agreement.

But the partial implementation did not resolve the broader dispute.

Unpaid Allowances & Salary Arrears

The union listed several issues that remain unresolved.

They include the proper and complete implementation of the salary component of the ASUU-Federal Government Agreement 2025.

ASUU also demanded payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

Other outstanding obligations include remittance of third-party deductions and payment of arrears arising from the 25 per cent to 35 per cent salary increment.

The union further demanded payment of accumulated promotion arrears owed to affected academic staff.

These demands touch directly on staff remuneration and financial obligations that ASUU says the government previously agreed to address.

Strike Threat Raises Pressure

The threat of an indefinite strike has increased pressure on the Sokoto State Government to resolve the dispute before the latest deadline expires.

A prolonged industrial action at the state-owned university could disrupt academic activities and affect students, staff and the wider university community.

ASUU therefore appealed to stakeholders and residents of Sokoto State to intervene.

The union said broader public engagement could encourage the government to fulfil its commitments and preserve a sustainable industrial relationship at the university.

For now, the two-week deadline has shifted attention to whether the government will fully implement the outstanding agreements or face another round of industrial action.