In a move that threatens to paralyze higher education in Katsina State, the coalition of staff unions across state-owned tertiary institutions has issued a stringent 14-day ultimatum to the government. The Joint Consultative Forum (JCF), representing academic and non-academic staff, declared the notice effective from December 29, 2025, setting a mid-January 2026 deadline for resolution before industrial action commences.
The announcement, made by JCF Chairman Muhammad Nasir-Gidado—who also leads the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic—highlights a deepening crisis over unmet agreements and systemic issues plaguing the education sector.
Core Grievances: A Breakdown of the Stalemate
The unions have presented a multi-point list of grievances, indicating that frustration has been building over an extended period:
1. The Stalled Salary Increments (35% & 25%):
This is not a new demand but relates to a national wage adjustment policy for tertiary education workers. The Federal Government had approved a 35% salary increase for academic staff and 25% for non-academic staff in state-owned tertiary institutions to mitigate inflation. However, implementation is contingent on state governments adopting and funding the policy. The Katsina State government’s “inaction,” as cited by the unions, suggests either a budgetary impasse or a political delay, leaving workers without the promised financial relief amidst a soaring cost of living.
2. CONTISS-15 Placement Delays and Accrued Arrears:
The Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) is the official pay scale. The migration to “CONTISS-15” represents an upward review and proper placement of staff. The chairman revealed a particularly contentious point: Governor Dikko Radda had reportedly approved this migration for staff of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic effective September 2025. The failure to implement it has now resulted in significant accrued salary arrears for those staff. Other institutions await similar approvals, creating widespread inequity and financial uncertainty.
3. A “Faulty and Exploitative” Healthcare Scheme:
The criticism of the state’s contributory healthcare scheme is severe, described as “inadequate, unfair and exploitative.” This suggests fundamental flaws in coverage, accessibility, or deductions. For workers and their families, a malfunctioning health scheme is a critical welfare failure. The JCF has initiated a fact-finding study, indicating the issue is complex enough to require formal investigation, with further action likely based on its findings.
4. Soaring Fees and Declining Enrolment:
In a rare move, the unions have directly linked staff welfare to student welfare. They argue that a recent hike in registration fees has created a dual crisis: it has priced out potential students, shrinking enrolment, and forced many continuing students to abandon their studies. The unions frame this not just as an administrative issue, but as a betrayal of education as a vital “social service.” This aligns their struggle with broader public interest, potentially garnering more community support.
The Stakes and What Comes Next
The two-week window is a final procedural step before a full-scale strike. Such action would shut down polytechnics, colleges of education, and other state tertiary institutions, disrupting the academic calendar for thousands of students.
Nasir-Gidado stated that upon the ultimatum’s expiration, the JCF will reconvene to “review the status, and assess government response before the next line of action.” The ball is now in the court of the Katsina State government. Resolution will require immediate, high-level negotiation to address the financial commitments of the salary increments and CONTISS-15 arrears, alongside commitments to review the healthcare scheme and fee structure.
The outcome will be a major test of Governor Radda’s administration’s prioritization of its tertiary education sector and its workforce. Failure to engage meaningfully could trigger a protracted strike with long-term consequences for institutional stability and the state’s human capital development.
Report by Abbas Bamalli for NAN. Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani.
