*Zonal ASUU Warns Of Fresh Industrial Unrest Over Implementation Of Agreement
By Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State has officially endorsed Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto as its sole governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.
The affirmation took place during a gathering of party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, who turned out in large numbers to declare support for the governor’s re-election bid.
A delegation from the APC National headquarters led by Mukhtar Birniwa supervised the exercise.
Speaking during the event, Birniwa described the process as peaceful, transparent and consistent with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.
In his remarks, State APC Chairman, Haruna Sarkin Gobir Adiya, said the endorsement reflected the confidence party members have in the governor’s leadership and achievements since assuming office.
According to him, Gov. Aliyu has demonstrated commitment to governance through infrastructural development, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, improvements in the health sector and various empowerment initiatives targeting youths and women across the state.
Adiya stated that the governor’s administration has restored hope among residents and positioned the state on a path of growth and development.
He added that the endorsement was a collective decision by party members who believe the governor deserves another opportunity to consolidate on his achievements.
Responding after accepting the endorsement, Gov. Aliyu expressed appreciation to the APC national leadership for sending a committee to oversee the exercise and thanked party stakeholders for their support and unity.
The governor described the endorsement as a renewed responsibility to continue serving the people of Sokoto State with dedication and commitment.
“I am deeply honored by this confidence reposed in me. We will continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives of our people and sustain the development agenda of this administration,” he said.
Governor Aliyu also acknowledged the support and guidance of political titan Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, whom he described as a mentor and pillar of the party in the state.
He further commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as purposeful leadership at the national level.
Sokoto ASUU Raises Alarm Over Partial Implementation of Agreement, Warns of Possible University Crisis
From the Sokoto zonal chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), covering 10 universities across the North West, has emerged a warning: Continued failure by governments to fully implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement could plunge Nigerian universities into another round of industrial unrest.
Speaking at a press briefing in Sokoto, the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Abubakar Sabo, accused both federal and state governments of selective and slow implementation of agreements reached with the union and publicly presented in January 2026.
Sabo said the inability of government to properly integrate the agreement into national fiscal and monetary policies had resulted in bureaucratic delays, inconsistencies and what he described as deliberate distortions in implementation across several universities.
According to him, many institutions are yet to implement critical components of the agreement, including payment of academic and professorial allowances, earned academic allowances, promotion arrears, salary shortfalls, annual increments and remittance of third party deductions.
“The Sokoto zone is deeply concerned that several federal and state universities have continued to neglect key aspects of the 2025 Agreement. Governments must ensure full implementation in the interest of industrial harmony and stability in the university system,” Sabo stated.
The union also decried unresolved welfare issues affecting lecturers nationwide, such as the outstanding 25 to 35 per cent salary award arrears, withheld salaries from the 2022 ASUU strike, delayed pension payments and lack of pension harmonization for retired academics.
ASUU further highlighted challenges in state-owned universities within the zone, particularly the non-implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and non-payment of earned academic allowances for lecturers involved in parallel and special academic programmes.
The union specifically mentioned cases involving Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education, where lecturers handling multiple academic sessions were allegedly yet to receive their entitlements.
Sabo also accused some universities of failing to remit cooperative deductions and union dues, while others allegedly owed lecturers promotion arrears and annual salary increments dating back to 2020.
“Universities cannot function effectively when lecturers are denied their legitimate entitlements for years. Nigerian academics deserve dignity, fair treatment and prompt payment of their lawful earnings,” he said.
The union warned that failure to urgently address the lingering issues could trigger widespread industrial disputes capable of disrupting academic activities nationwide.
On education policies, the zone aligned with the position of ASUU’s National Executive Council in opposing several recent policy decisions by the Federal Government.
Among the policies criticised was the reported reversal of the mother tongue policy in early childhood education without sufficient empirical justification.
ASUU also faulted plans to establish foreign affiliated universities under the Transnational Education Framework, arguing that such initiatives could weaken local institutions and undermine Nigeria’s higher education system.
The union equally rejected the compulsory enrolment of academics into the Nigerian Educational Repository Data system without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
It further opposed moves to phase out some Humanities and Social Science courses in the name of labour market reforms.
“All academic disciplines remain relevant to national growth and development. Nigeria’s unemployment crisis is rooted in poor economic policies, corruption, weak governance and misplaced priorities, not academic programmes,” Sabo stressed.
The union also condemned alleged cases of maladministration, lack of transparency and politically influenced appointments in Nigerian universities, warning that such practices threaten institutional autonomy and academic integrity.
Appointments into university leadership positions must be guided strictly by merit, due process, accountability and transparency, the coordinator added.
ASUU further expressed concern over worsening insecurity, economic hardship and political tension across the country, especially in Northern Nigeria.
According to the union, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal clashes continue to disrupt educational activities and expose students, lecturers and host communities to constant fear and uncertainty.
The zone therefore urged governments at all levels to prioritise security, address poverty and unemployment, and create conditions necessary for sustainable educational development and national stability.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian academics and advocating improved funding, welfare and autonomy for public universities across the country.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Aliyu Sokoto.
