Court Orders Police to Re-Open Kaduna State University Gates

A court in Kaduna State has ordered the police to re-open the gates of Kaduna State University (KASU), which were locked by striking unions. The Principal District Court authorised the Commissioner of Police to use designated officers and a court official to restore access to the campus. The order was granted on November 10, following a motion filed by the university's management and Governing Council. The court specified that only reasonable force necessary to restore access should be used.

The motion was filed against the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), alongside their officials. The unions had gone on strike despite an interim order from the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division, issued on November 5. The order restrained the unions from commencing or participating in the industrial action. The court processes, including the interim order, were served on the respondents on November 9.

According to the Chairman of KASU's Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, the unions locked the university gates, staff offices, and classrooms, preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the facilities. The development disrupted the university's academic and administrative activities. As of the latest inspection, the affected gates, offices, and classrooms remained locked. Umar stated that the unions went on strike despite meeting with the university management.

The court order subsists pending the hearing of the motion on notice or the interim order made by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026. The order directed the Commissioner of Police to break open any lock or remove any chain or other barrier securing the gates. The university's management and Governing Council had sought an interim injunction restraining the unions from locking the gates or preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the campus.

The strike by NASU, SSANU, and NAAT had caused significant disruptions to the university's activities. The university's management had expressed concern over the impact of the strike on students and staff. The court intervention aims to restore normalcy to the university's operations. The unions' actions had attracted attention from various stakeholders, including students, parents, and the general public.

The Chairman of KASU's Governing Council stated that the university's management was committed to resolving the issues with the unions. However, the unions' decision to go on strike despite the court order had worsened the situation. The police are expected to enforce the court order and re-open the university gates. The development is expected to have a positive impact on the university's academic and administrative activities.

The court order is a significant development in the ongoing dispute between the university's management and the striking unions. The university's students and staff are expected to benefit from the re-opening of the gates and the restoration of normalcy to the campus. The management's commitment to resolving the issues with the unions is crucial to preventing future disruptions to the university's activities.

Key points

• The court order aims to restore access to the university campus for authorised staff and students.