RismadarVoice Reporters
November 13, 2026
A Kaduna State Principal District Court has reportedly authorised the police to reopen the gates of Kaduna State University (KASU) following allegations that striking non-teaching staff locked university facilities and prevented access.
The order, granted on November 10 following an ex parte application by the university’s management and Governing Council, permits designated police officers to remove barriers obstructing entry into the institution.
According to the court documents described in the application, the police may remove locks, chains and other obstructions under the supervision of an authorised court official, using only reasonable and necessary force.
The development follows an earlier interim injunction issued by the National Industrial Court in Abuja on November 5, restraining three university unions from embarking on or continuing industrial action.
The affected unions are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The industrial dispute is before the National Industrial Court under suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026.
In an affidavit supporting the latest application, the Chairman of KASU’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, alleged that the unions proceeded with their strike despite being served with the earlier court order on November 9.
He claimed that striking workers subsequently locked university gates, offices and classrooms, disrupting academic and administrative activities.
The unions had commenced a seven-day warning strike on November 10 over unresolved welfare demands, including unpaid arrears, salary adjustments and the implementation of agreements affecting non-teaching staff.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at KASU has clarified that its members are not participating in the industrial action.
The union directed lecturers to continue teaching, research, examination preparations and other academic responsibilities.
The police-assisted reopening order is intended to restore access to university facilities while the legal dispute continues.
However, it does not constitute a final determination of the unions’ demands or the substantive case before the National Industrial Court.
The earlier industrial court proceedings are scheduled to continue on November 18.
The dispute has raised concerns about access to education, workers’ welfare and the need for dialogue between the university authorities and the affected unions.
Both sides remain subject to the applicable court orders as efforts continue to resolve the disagreement.
