The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, has faulted newly introduced governing documents by the university administration, describing the alteration as illegal.
ASUU's Position on the New Documents
In a statement jointly signed by the branch chairperson, Dr Aliyu Yusuf Ahmad, and the secretary, Dr Abubakar Ibrahim Tukur, ASUU insisted that the changes were made without due process and would not be accepted. The union reiterated its consistent support for industrial harmony and academic stability within the university, while acknowledging the efforts of the Kano State Government in improving staff welfare and promoting higher education in the state.
However, the congress expressed grave concern over what it described as the university administration’s attempt to impose new governing documents on staff members without adequate stakeholder consultation or adherence to due process. ASUU alleged that the documents were approved without compliance with Section 21 of the Kano University of Science and Technology Amendment Law 2017, as well as relevant local and international labour laws and conventions.
Allegations of Improper Constitution of Governing Council
The union further claimed that the Governing Council that approved the documents was not properly constituted in line with Statute 5, Section 1 of the KUST Amendment Law 2017. ASUU alleged that the university administration failed to convene a Senate meeting for the election of a Senate representative to the council. Congress also accused the administration of violating other provisions of the university law, including the alleged failure to release the institution’s audited accounts for more than three years and the non-convening of statutory meetings such as those of the Senate and the Budget Monitoring Committee.
Congress Resolution and Next Steps
After deliberations, the congress unanimously condemned what it described as the illegal review of the documents and the attempt to impose them on staff members. “The congress rejects the documents in their entirety due to the failure of the university administration to comply with the laid-down procedures for amending such documents as provided under Section 21 of the KUST Amendment Law 2017,” the statement said.
In addition, ASUU resolved to seek the approval of its National Executive Council (NEC) to commence active non-compliance until the issue and other outstanding demands of the branch are addressed by the university administration.
