Workers in tertiary institutions across Kaduna State have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government to settle their outstanding allowances, warning that failure to comply could trigger industrial action that could disrupt academic and administrative activities.
The Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions of Kaduna State (JUTIKS) said the ultimatum, issued on October 27, would be followed by industrial action if the demands were not met.
Usman Suleiman, the union’s chairman, told journalists in Kaduna on Monday that the workers were demanding payment of the outstanding 30 percent CONPCASS/CONTEDISS salary and implementation of the approved 25 and 35 percent wage allowances.
Besides, he explained that the workers are demanding an establishment circular to formalise the 65-year retirement age or 40 years of service for non-teaching staff.
Other demands, according to the union leader, include exemption of Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) and other allowances from taxation, implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tool Allowance (CONTTA), as well as payment of outstanding arrears of wage and tool allowances from January 2026.
Suleiman said the outstanding 30 percent salary followed the government’s approval to convert workers’ salaries from CONTISS to CONPCASS, with 70 percent initially implemented.
Moreover, he noted that the Kaduna State governor had promised to implement the remaining 30 percent in the first quarter of 2026, but the commitment had yet to be fulfilled.
“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 noted.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the state government had started implementing some of the agreements, including payment of CATA, following the governor’s intervention, but several issues remained unresolved.
“On the retirement age for non-teaching staff, although the governor had announced the policy last year, the government is yet to issue an establishment circular to formalise its implementation,” he said.
Besides, he questioned the deduction of tax from EAA, insisting that the allowance should be exempt.
Suleiman said the four tertiary institutions covered by the union are Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria; College of Arts and Science, Zaria; School of Nursing, Kaduna; and College of Education, Gidan Waya, with more than 5,000 workers affected by the impasse.
He further explained that the joint congresses of the affiliate unions subsequently directed the leadership to issue the ultimatum, and that the unions had followed the procedures required by labour laws.
However, he stressed that the union is open to dialogue with the government to resolve the dispute and prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony.
Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years. He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team. Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.
