Workers in Katsina tertiary educational institutions issue 2-week strike notice
Ultimatum
By Abbas Bamalli
Katsina, Jan. 1, 2026 (NAN) The Joint Consultative Forum (JCF), of Katsina State owned tertiary institutions, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the state government, effective from Dec. 29, 2025.
This declaration was contained in a statement issued in Katsina on Wednesday, by Muhammad Nasir-Gidado, the Chairman of the forum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nasir-Gidado also doubles as the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.
According to him, one of the top issues is the inaction of the state government regarding the 35 per cent and 25 per cent Salary increment for the workers.
Another issue he mentioned was the delay in the implementation of proper placement for Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS-15) Non-migrated Staff.
He expressed their dismay over the issue, in spite of the earlier approval by Gov. Dikko Radda for the staff of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, with effect from Sept. 2025.
“Delay in implementation led to accrued arrears. Similarly, other tertiary institutions have made submissions and have been awaiting approval of the government,” he said.
The chairman added that the Management of the state’s contributory healthcare scheme was observed to be inadequate, unfair and exploitative, saying that members of the unions have been bitterly complaining and seeking justice and fairness.
Nasir-Gidado said, “We therefore await the recommendations of the fact-finding study ongoing by JCF for further action.
“The effort of JCF on the contributory pension scheme was appreciated and they are looking forward to the scheduled date for the sensitisation programme.”
According to him, the recent increase in registration fee was observed to have contributed to low enrolments in the tertiary institutions.
He lamented that this had led to the inability for some continuing students to pay their fees, saying that this deliberate effort had shriken the enrolment of students.
Nasir-Gidado further explained that the unions had observed that many students were quitting their studies half way.
“The attention of the state government should be drawn in this regard, to note that education is a social service rendered to citizens to improve their well-being.
“Therefore, after long deliberations on the reports from various congress meetings and resolutions, it was unanimously agreed that a 14-day ultimatum is declared by all the staff unions.
After the expiration of this ultimatum, he said that a meeting would be convened to review the status, and assess government response before the next line of action. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AABS/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani