Workers in Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions have threatened industrial action over unpaid salaries and allowances, giving the state government 15 days to address their grievances.
The Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions of Kaduna State (JUTIKS) warned that failure to meet its demands within the period could disrupt academic and administrative activities across the affected institutions.
The union’s chairman, Usman Shehu Suleiman, disclosed this at a press conference in Kaduna, saying the ultimatum was issued on October 27 following resolutions by the affiliate unions.
Among the demands are payment of outstanding 30 per cent CONPCASS/CONTEDISS salary arrears, implementation of approved 25 and 35 per cent wage allowances, and payment of outstanding wage and tool allowance arrears dating back to January 2026.
The workers are also demanding the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tool Allowance for teaching and non-teaching staff.
Suleiman said the government had initially implemented 70 per cent of the conversion of workers’ salaries from CONTISS to CONPCASS, leaving 30 per cent unpaid despite a promise by the governor to settle the balance in the first quarter of 2026.
“The demands were based on agreements reached between the national leadership of the unions and the Federal Government on allowances for academic and non-teaching staff,” he said.
The union also wants the government to issue an establishment circular formalising the 65-year retirement age or 40 years of service for non-teaching staff.
Suleiman said although the governor announced the retirement policy last year, the absence of an official circular had delayed its implementation.
The workers are further demanding exemption of Academic Earned Allowance and other allowances from taxation.
He acknowledged that the state government had started implementing some of the agreements, including payment of CATA, following the governor’s intervention, but insisted that several issues remained unresolved.
More than 5,000 workers across four institutions are affected by the dispute. They include Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria; College of Arts and Science, Zaria; Kaduna State College of Nursing; and Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya.
The union said its members had followed the procedures required by labour laws before issuing the ultimatum.
It, however, expressed willingness to negotiate with the government to prevent an industrial dispute and preserve harmony in the institutions.
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