The Niger State Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai Chapter, are yet to resolve differences over the implementation of an academic staff salary agreement, as the strike continues to keep students away from the university.
The issues were discussed during a Nigeria Today programme featuring the Vice-Chancellor of IBBU, Professor Muhammad Hadu Suleiman; Niger State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Alhaji Adamu Abdullah Shashi; Director-General of Student Affairs, BB Sheriff; Director of Schools and Educational Reforms, Hajiya Maimuna Muhammad; and Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Abubakar Gudigi.
Professor Suleiman said discussions between the university management, the state government and ASUU had addressed most administrative aspects of the agreement reached in 2025, but implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) remained unresolved.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the agreement, reached between the government and ASUU around December 2025, provided for a new salary regime involving an increase of about 40 per cent for academic staff, alongside other financial and administrative provisions.
He explained that because IBBU is a state-owned institution, implementation required engagement with the Niger State Government to determine the financial implications for the university.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Alhaji Adamu Abdullah Shashi, said the state government had held several meetings with the IBBU ASUU branch to address the union's concerns.
He disclosed that the government had approved ₦200 million for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), adding that another ₦200 million was pledged for disbursement in instalments through January to help address the outstanding obligations.
Shashi appealed to ASUU to suspend the strike and return to negotiations with the government, saying dialogue remained necessary to resolve the outstanding issues.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of Student Affairs, BB Sheriff, expressed concern about the impact of the prolonged disruption on students, particularly those preparing for second-semester examinations.
Sheriff said students had remained at home for nearly a month, warning that the disruption could affect the academic calendar and place students in state-owned institutions at a disadvantage compared with those in private universities whose academic activities may not have been similarly affected.
He appealed to ASUU to exercise patience while urging the government to accelerate efforts toward resolving the dispute.
The Director of Schools and Educational Reforms, Hajiya Maimuna Muhammad, acknowledged the concerns raised by academic staff but expressed concern about the effect of prolonged university strikes on students.
She called for a return to negotiations, noting that repeated disruptions to academic activities have broader consequences for students and the education system.
On the condition of university accommodation during the strike, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Abubakar Gudigi, said IBBU's hostels remained under supervision despite the disruption.
He explained that some students had stayed on campus and that cleaners and other support staff continued to maintain the facilities. According to him, the period has also allowed the university to undertake additional cleaning and chemical treatment of vacant hostel blocks.
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Education