Katsina Tertiary Institution Workers Suspend Warning Strike After Stakeholder Intervention

Staff unions in tertiary institutions owned by the Katsina State Government have suspended the two-week warning strike embarked upon earlier this month, following the intervention of key stakeholders.

The suspension was announced on Saturday in Katsina by Dr. Muhammad Nasir-Gidado, Chairman of the Joint Consultative Forum (JCF) representing workers in the affected institutions.

The forum had commenced the warning strike on Sunday, January 12, 2026, accusing the state government of failing to address its demands. According to Nasir-Gidado, the grievances include the non-approval and non-implementation of the 35 per cent and 25 per cent salary increments for staff.

He also listed the non-implementation of proper placement for workers who were not migrated under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS 15) as part of the unresolved issues.

In addition, the forum protested the recent increase in students’ registration fees, describing it as insensitive to prevailing economic realities and blaming it for declining student enrolment across the institutions.

Nasir-Gidado said the strike was suspended after respected stakeholders and prominent indigenes of Katsina State intervened and appealed for calm, dialogue and constructive engagement.

He disclosed that an agreement had been reached for immediate negotiations with the Katsina State Government aimed at resolving all outstanding issues.

Following the development, the forum directed its members to resume work with immediate effect and return to their duties with renewed commitment.

The affected institutions include Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic; Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma; Yusuf Bala Usman College of Education and Legal Studies, Daura; the College of Nursing Sciences in Katsina and Malumfashi; the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Daura and Kankia; and the Institute of Technology and Management.

Nasir-Gidado thanked students and parents for their patience during the industrial action and reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to pursuing its demands through dialogue and negotiation.