The Academic Staff Union of Universities at the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, held a peaceful protest on Tuesday, demanding improved university funding and better staff welfare.

The protesters also called for the immediate renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, describing it as long overdue and ignored for far too long.

Speaking during the protest, chairman of KUST-ASUU, Ali Yusuf-Ahmed, said Nigerian lecturers could no longer take pride in the deteriorating state of the education system.

“Professors in Nigeria earn less than $300 monthly. Our union will continue to fight for dignity within the system,” Mr Yusuf-Ahmed said.

He pointed out that no country can build a strong education sector without proper university funding, institutional autonomy, decent working conditions, and a conducive learning environment for students.

“ASUU has been patient in engaging the government, but only met indifference. For over two years, we’ve demanded negotiations, yet the government continues to ignore us,” he said.

Mr Yusuf-Ahmed warned that if the issues were not resolved soon, the union could not guarantee that campuses would remain open for academic activities nationwide. He stressed that the union’s key demand remained the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which had been neglected for 17 years without meaningful government action.

“We are workers with integrity, not slaves. The government must renegotiate conditions of service, improve funding, and guarantee university autonomy. Nearly two decades of neglect is unacceptable,” he said.

ASUU reiterated its position that education must remain free and accessible to all Nigerians, rejecting student loan schemes that would only increase financial burdens after graduation.

The chairman urged the Kano government to forward their demands to the Federal Government and ensure the immediate implementation of any agreement reached with the union.

“We know the state government can listen and act. We hope it will show a similar commitment to our university. We pray not to be disappointed,” he said.

Receiving the union’s letter, KUST vice-chancellor, Musa Tukur-Yakasai, acknowledged receipt and assured ASUU that he would forward the demands to the relevant authorities without delay.

He told the protesting lecturers that he too, was a victim of the system and promised to communicate their concerns to the appropriate government channels.

(NAN)