The Management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, NSUK, has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, NSUK Branch, to suspend its ongoing industrial action and return to the negotiating table, assuring the union that efforts are being made to address its outstanding demands.
The appeal followed the disruption of academic activities at the university, which Management said had caused concern, uncertainty and hardship among students, parents and staff.
It stressed that its priority remained the protection of the academic calendar, welfare of staff and students, and the stability and continued development of the institution.
In a press conference brief issued on Thursday, the University Management said the demands presented by ASUU include earned academic allowances; arrears arising from the 25 and 35 per cent salary increases; outstanding wage awards and minimum-wage-related payments; implementation of applicable provisions of the revised Federal Government-ASUU agreement; domestication of the 70-year retirement age for academic staff; domestication and implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme; and clarification of the Government’s counterpart pension contributions.
The Management acknowledged the legitimacy of constructive engagement on staff welfare, but noted that several of the issues were national in origin, had accumulated over many years and predated the current administration.
According to the Management, some of the demands require policy, legislative or financial action beyond the direct authority of the university, stressing that the current situation should therefore not be interpreted as a lack of concern or commitment by the present administration.
It said the challenges were largely the result of inherited and interconnected obligations requiring sustained cooperation among the university, staff unions, the Nasarawa State Government and relevant national institutions.
The Management also highlighted what it described as significant interventions by the Visitor to the university and Governor of Nasarawa State to ease the institution’s financial pressures.
It said the Visitor had approved an increase in the university’s monthly subvention, describing the decision as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to strengthening the institution and improving its capacity to meet personnel, operational and developmental obligations.
The Management further disclosed that, following recent engagements, the Visitor had agreed to continue giving attention to the implementation of applicable obligations arising from the Federal Government/university-based unions agreements.
It added that the Visitor had also expressed willingness to sustain dialogue on the non-monetary aspects of the unions’ demands, particularly those requiring policy, administrative or legislative action.
According to the Management, the interventions provide a credible foundation for all parties to work towards a fair, sustainable and implementable resolution.
The university authorities said they had not remained passive in addressing accumulated liabilities, noting that a joint committee comprising representatives of Management and the staff unions had developed an agreed framework for the gradual liquidation of outstanding obligations.
The Management said it had continued to honour the framework within the limits of available resources, adding that payments had been made and commitments fulfilled in line with the agreed plan, including payments relating to earned academic allowances.
It, however, explained that the accumulated liabilities could not reasonably be liquidated in a single instalment without jeopardising the university’s essential operations.
The Management said it remained committed to systematically settling the obligations while balancing staff welfare with the continued provision of teaching, research, student services, security, utilities and other critical institutional responsibilities.
While reaffirming its respect for ASUU’s right to protect the welfare and legitimate interests of its members, the university appealed to the union to allow ongoing dialogue to produce a sustainable resolution.
The Management said the progress already recorded, including the increased subvention, acceptance of the updated financial request, ongoing liquidation of inherited liabilities and the Visitor’s willingness to discuss non-monetary demands, should be regarded as evidence of good faith.
It warned that prolonged disruption of academic activities would further burden students and parents, weaken the academic calendar, affect research and admissions, and place additional financial pressure on the institution.
“The University belongs to all of us. Its stability and reputation must remain paramount,” Management said.
The university appealed to students to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that their education, welfare and future remained central to the ongoing engagements.
It urged students to rely only on information released through the university’s official communication channels and avoid actions capable of undermining the peace, security or reputation of the institution.
The Management also appealed to parents and guardians to remain patient and continue to support efforts by the university, government and unions to achieve a lasting resolution.
The university called on traditional and religious leaders, alumni, student leaders, civil society organisations, professional bodies and other stakeholders to encourage constructive engagement and dialogue among the parties.
It urged the public to appreciate that the challenges developed over time and could not be resolved through blame, confrontation or misinformation.
The Management said what was required was a shared commitment to achieving an implementable and financially sustainable solution.
The university said it would continue to engage the Visitor, ASUU and other staff unions; facilitate the documentation of agreed commitments, implementation frameworks and realistic timelines; sustain the joint union-management mechanism for monitoring payment of outstanding liabilities; ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of increased subvention and other interventions; support further dialogue on the retirement age, pension scheme and other non-monetary matters; safeguard the welfare and security of students and staff; and work towards the restoration of normal academic activities at the earliest possible time.
The Management maintained that, although the present challenge was difficult, it remained resolvable, pointing to the increased university subvention, approval of the updated financial request, ongoing settlement of liabilities and the government’s openness to further dialogue on outstanding non-monetary issues.
It therefore appealed to ASUU, NSUK Branch, to consider the interventions in good faith and work with the university and the Nasarawa State Government towards an immediate and mutually acceptable resolution.
The university also solicited the continued patience, understanding and support of students, parents and the general public, assuring that Management would not relent in its efforts to restore normalcy and enable the institution to continue its mandate of teaching, research and service to society without interruption.
