The management of Kaduna State University has assured students that lectures and other academic activities will continue despite an industrial dispute involving some affiliate unions.

The university urged students to attend classes and participate in scheduled academic programmes, insisting that the ongoing disagreement had not resulted in the closure of the institution.

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Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Friday amid concerns over the possible disruption of the university’s academic calendar.

“Academic activities are continuing, and students are encouraged to attend lectures and participate in all scheduled academic engagements,” Musa said.

He appealed to students to remain calm and concentrate on their studies, adding that the management was taking measures to sustain academic programmes and essential operations.

The vice-chancellor acknowledged the concerns raised by the affiliate unions, particularly their objections to the implementation of the 2026 Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance.

However, he urged the unions to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement rather than allow the disagreement to affect the university’s operations.

Musa also called on the unions to give the Kaduna State Government, through the university management and governing council, an opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues.

He commended Governor Uba Sani, the university’s visitor, for his interventions towards improving the welfare and working conditions of academic and non-teaching staff.

According to the vice-chancellor, the management remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony, protecting the interests of workers and students, and ensuring that teaching, research and community service are not disrupted.

The dispute stems from a prolonged disagreement between the university’s non-teaching unions and the Kaduna State Government over the implementation of negotiated agreements and staff welfare benefits.

In September, PUNCH reported that the Joint Action Committee comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union and National Association of Academic Technologists rejected the government’s decision to implement the newly negotiated Federal Government agreement for academic staff alone.

The unions argued that non-teaching employees should also benefit from the agreement.

The dispute followed an earlier court order restraining the three unions from embarking on industrial action pending the determination of a suit filed by the university.