BY Abubakar Adamu
ASUU YUMSUK, the branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Yusuf Maitama Sule University in Kano, has expressed its grievances over the suffocation of academics and the persistent neglect of state-owned universities.
In response to the state government’s refusal to address their demands and grant an audience with the Visitor, the branch in a statement signed by Comrade Surajo Sulaiman and Comrade Mansur Sa’id, Chairman and Secretary of Branch said ASUU YUMSUK decided to engage the media and the public to highlight the impending crisis.
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The statement focuses on three key issues: improving the condition of service for ASUU members, revitalizing and accelerating university development through sustainable funding, and preserving university autonomy and academic freedom.
In the statement, the union demanded the immediate reconstitution of the University Governing Council and emphasizes the critical role the body plays in university administration.
Regarding the condition of service, ASUU YUMSUK also called for the prompt payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) balances and the Consequential Adjustment arrears.
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The Branch also requested the domestication of the newly approved Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure II and the immediate implementation of the provisional wage award approved by the federal government.
On the topic of university funding, the branch urged the government to expedite ongoing projects, supplement Tetfund funding for academic staff training, and consider ending the automatic deduction of 25% from the university’s Internally Generated Revenue.
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The branch emphasizes that funding has been a significant challenge since the university’s establishment, with incomplete release of budgetary appropriations for capital projects.
ASUU YUMSUK further appealed to the Visitor to improve university funding.
ASUU YUMSUK simirlarly called upon the Visitor to the university to take immediate action to address the brewing issues in the interest of industrial harmony.
The branch urged the parties involved to work towards a resolution.
