Strike: ASUU declares ongoing examinations at Kaduna University Illegal, Seeks Cancellation

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared the ongoing examinations at Kaduna State University (KASU) a violation of established rules and regulations governing the conduct of examinations in Nigerian universities.

The union made this position known through its Kano Zone, insisting that all examinations conducted under the current arrangement must be cancelled and re-conducted to safeguard the integrity of the academic process.

Background of the Dispute

KASU resumed academic activities on 2 August after being shut since 14 February, when its academic staff joined a nationwide industrial action declared by ASUU’s national leadership over unresolved demands placed before the Federal Government.

Earlier, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, threatened to dismiss lecturers who failed to resume work, stating that the lecturers had no disagreement with the Kaduna State Government but rather with the Federal Government.

Kaduna State University was established in 2004 by the Kaduna State Government through the promulgation of Kaduna State Law Number 3.

Despite being a state-owned institution, ASUU members in KASU joined the nationwide strike in protest against what the union described as the declining state of university education in Nigeria, poor funding, and inadequate staff welfare.

ASUU Rejects Ongoing Examinations

ASUU has formally rejected the conduct of the ongoing examinations at KASU.

According to a statement issued by the National Coordinator of ASUU-Kano Zone, Abdulkadir Muhammad, the examinations violate established academic standards.

ASUU-Kano Zone covers the following institutions:

• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

• Bayero University Kano (BUK)

• Federal University Dutse (FUD)

• Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil (KUST)

• Kaduna State University (KASU)

• Sule Lamido University (SLU)

• Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano (YUMSU)

Why ASUU Says the Examinations Are Invalid

According to ASUU, the ongoing examinations at KASU are characterised by:

• Non-coverage of approved course outlines

• Incomplete lecture contact hours

• Non-participation of lecturers who taught the courses in setting examination questions and supervising the exams

• Involvement of students in invigilation

• Non-moderation of question papers

The union described these as “clear violations of the laid down rules and regulations governing the conduct of examinations.”

ASUU therefore demanded that all examinations already conducted be discarded and fresh examinations organised after due academic procedures are followed.

Threat to Petition Regulatory and Anti-Corruption Agencies

ASUU warned that failure by KASU management to cancel the examinations would compel the union to petition:

• National Universities Commission (NUC), and

• Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)

against the management of Kaduna State University.

ASUU Describes KASU as a “TETFund University”

The union criticised the Kaduna State Government and Governor El-Rufai for claiming that ASUU had no issues with the state government.

ASUU stated that KASU has benefited substantially from the struggles of the union, especially through interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

According to the union, most of the major buildings and infrastructure in KASU were funded through TETFund interventions, including staff development programmes and research grants.

The union further challenged the Visitor to the university to identify any major structure constructed on KASU campuses by the state government during the governor’s two-term tenure.

ASUU Insists Strike Is for System-Wide Reforms

ASUU maintained that the ongoing strike is not targeted at any particular state government but is meant to secure:

• improved funding for the university system, and

• better welfare and working conditions for academic staff.

The union stressed that KASU remains one of the beneficiaries of these struggles.

How the Nationwide ASUU Strike Started

The National Executive Council of ASUU initially declared a four-week strike on 14 February to press for:

• improved funding for Nigerian universities, and

• better remuneration for its members.

The union is also demanding the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace the federal payroll platform for university workers.

ASUU has accused the current system of irregularities and of failing to recognise the peculiar structure and autonomy of universities.

UTAS was tested by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), but the agency reportedly declined its deployment despite the system recording high test scores.

2009 Agreement and the Briggs Committee

ASUU is also demanding the renegotiation and implementation of its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.

A draft agreement produced by a committee led by Nimi Briggs has already been submitted to the government.

However, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has repeatedly accused ASUU of excluding government representatives from meetings to impose its own salary structure.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, rejected the allegation and challenged the ministry to produce evidence. He stated that the proposals in the draft agreement were initiated by the government, not ASUU.

Related Article: ASUU Opposes Education Loan, Demands Withheld Salaries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did ASUU reject the KASU examinations?

ASUU said the examinations violate academic rules because courses were not fully taught, lecturers who handled the courses were excluded from setting and supervising exams, question papers were not moderated, and students were reportedly used as invigilators.

What does ASUU want KASU management to do?

ASUU is demanding that all examinations conducted so far be cancelled and fresh examinations organised after normal academic procedures are followed and the strike issues are properly resolved.

Which agencies will ASUU petition if the exams continue?

ASUU plans to petition the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) if the examinations are not cancelled.

Why did ASUU describe KASU as a “TETFund university”?

The union stated that most major infrastructure, staff development and research funding in KASU were provided through TETFund interventions secured largely through ASUU’s advocacy and strike actions.

Is the ASUU strike against Kaduna State Government?

According to ASUU, the strike is not against Kaduna State Government. The union says the action is a nationwide struggle aimed at improving funding, welfare and overall standards in Nigeria’s public universities.