ADUSTECH Management Dismisses ASUU Allegations,Highlights Major Achievements Under Prof.Yakasai’s Leadership

By Ladan Nasidi,Kano

The Management of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, has refuted what it described as “spurious and unfounded” allegations made by the institution’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), accusing the union of attempting to mislead the public and undermine the university’s recent progress.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar and Head of Information, Media and Public Relations, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, the management emphasized that since the assumption of office by Vice Chancellor Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai, the university has embarked on extensive infrastructural and academic development projects aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and staff welfare.

According to the statement, the management has renovated lecture theatres and classrooms, installed multimedia and digital teaching aids, and provided fiber optic internet connectivity to the University Library through Galaxy Backbone. Additionally, the Central Research Laboratory was equipped with modern research tools and connected to solar-powered electricity to ensure uninterrupted operations.

The statement further disclosed that the university conducts annual renovations of male and female hostels, improving hygiene and sanitation to ensure a conducive living environment for students.

On the issue of financial transparency, the management clarified that it inherited unaudited accounts for 2020–2022, but has since engaged external auditors who have completed and published those reports. The 2023 financial accounts, it added, are currently under review by the auditors and will be released upon completion.

Addressing the matter of the Budget Performance Report, the university explained that the Budget Monitoring Committee (BMC) could not function after the dissolution of the 5th Governing Council. However, with the recent inauguration of the 6th Council, a new committee has been constituted and has already reviewed the first and second quarters of 2025.

On staffing concerns, the statement noted that the management inherited new academic departments lacking adequate personnel and facilities, but has since obtained government approval for partial recruitment, which contributed to the institution’s successful 2023 NUC accreditation exercise.

Regarding contract appointments for non-indigenes, the university said it merely complied with a state government directive mandating all non-indigene academic staff be placed on contract terms. The Ministry for Higher Education, it noted, has already set up a committee to review the issue and make recommendations.

The management also clarified that there was no disconnection of electricity in any part of the university, but rather a rationalization of power supply due to the high cost of operating under Band ‘A’ electricity tariff, which once cost the institution as much as ₦60 million monthly.

Highlighting achievements in staff welfare, the management stated that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had cleared over 80% of ₦2 billion inherited staff liabilities, including payments for earned allowances, hazard allowances, fieldwork stipends, and promotion arrears. The university has also forwarded requests for outstanding 25% and 35% salary increments, which are currently under government consideration.

The statement commended the Kano State Government for its continued investment in education, citing its state of emergency declaration on education, foreign scholarships for top graduates, over 30% budgetary allocation to education, and outstanding WAEC performance.

Concluding, the management described ASUU’s allegations as politically motivated, recalling that similar criticisms were made against the state government less than a year into Governor Yusuf’s tenure.

“The university management calls on the general public to disregard the misleading claims by the ADUSTECH branch of ASUU. Despite such distractions, we remain committed to improving the welfare and academic environment for both staff and students,” the statement read.