By Adamu Kabiru
SOKOTO — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branches at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education have called on the Sokoto State Government to urgently address lingering welfare and administrative issues affecting lecturers in the state-owned institutions.
At a joint press conference on Wednesday, the union warned that continued neglect of its demands could disrupt academic activities if prompt action is not taken.
The chairpersons of the ASUU branches in both universities said several formal communications had been sent to the institutions’ managements and the Sokoto State Ministry for Higher Education, but the concerns remain unresolved.
According to the union, the outstanding issues border on staff welfare, institutional governance, and the stability of academic programmes, stressing that resolving them would reinforce the cordial relationship between government and university staff.
Among its key demands, ASUU urged the state government to implement the 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government, particularly provisions relating to peculiar allowances for teaching and research duties. It noted that federal universities had already commenced implementation since January 2026.
The union also lamented the non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), stating that lecturers at Sokoto State University are owed for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions, while their counterparts at Shehu Shagari University of Education are owed for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 sessions.
ASUU further decried the non-remittance of union dues and cooperative contributions, which it said have been deducted from salaries since 2023 by the Sokoto State Ministry of Finance but not paid into the appropriate accounts despite repeated requests.
The union also raised concern over the absence of a Governing Council at Shehu Shagari University of Education since its establishment in 2023, describing the situation as a breach of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003. It noted that the council is vital for staff recruitment, promotions, financial oversight, and policy direction.
Other unresolved issues highlighted include outstanding promotion arrears spanning seven academic sessions at Sokoto State University and two sessions at Shehu Shagari University of Education.
ASUU additionally pointed to unpaid arrears of the 25 and 35 per cent salary adjustments covering 14 months from January 2024 to February 2025, as well as the non-implementation of annual salary increments since 2020.
While reaffirming its commitment to industrial harmony, the union appealed to stakeholders, traditional rulers, and residents of Sokoto State to intervene and urge the government to act swiftly.
The union expressed optimism that timely intervention would address staff welfare concerns, prevent disruptions to academic activities, and support the growth of higher education in the state.
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