The Lingering Crisis in Katsina State Tertiary Institutions

The ongoing warning strike by staff of six Katsina State owned tertiary institutions is a painful but inevitable response to long-standing unresolved issues confronting the sector. The strike did not emerge suddenly; rather, it is the outcome of years of accumulated neglect, unfulfilled agreements, and failed expectations. Academic activities have been brought to a standstill, students have been sent home, and the academic calendar once again faces uncertainty. This industrial action is not borne out of hostility to government or disregard for students, but out of desperation to draw attention to issues that threaten the very survival of tertiary education in the state.

Katsina State has consistently projected itself as a staunch advocate for education, often declaring it a top priority regardless of prevailing economic challenges. From various policy pronouncements to budgetary allocations, education has frequently been presented as the cornerstone of the state’s development agenda. The establishment and expansion of tertiary institutions across Katsina reflect an understanding that education is critical to social mobility, human capital development, and long-term economic progress. Indeed, Katsina’s aspiration to compete favorably with its peers in northern Nigeria largely hinges on the strength of its educational institutions and the quality of its graduates.

However, there exists a troubling contradiction between declared priorities and actual practices. In reality, the state government appears to be turning a deaf ear to the genuine yearnings and aspirations of academics and staff at tertiary institutions. Issues bordering on staff welfare, salary adjustments, promotions, proper placement and working conditions have remained unresolved for far too long. Repeated appeals and engagements by unions have yielded little or no concrete outcome. This persistent inaction has deepened frustration within the academic community, creating an atmosphere where morale is low and hope is gradually being eroded. An education system cannot thrive when those entrusted with knowledge production and transmissions are consistently neglected.

The concern is further magnified under an administration led by a governor with a PhD, from whom the academic community naturally expected a deeper appreciation of the centrality of education. Education ought to occupy a place of utmost priority in such an administration. Yet, one week into the ongoing strike, there has been no clear roadmap, no formal invitation to the unions for dialogue and no visible effort to negotiate a lasting solution. The absence of concrete measures conveys a troubling lack of urgency that contradicts the professed commitment to education. Prolonged silence in the face of an avoidable crisis not only risks eroding confidence but also exacerbates institutional decay, sending a negative signal about the value placed on scholarship and intellectual labor in Katsina State.

It is against this backdrop that we call on all stakeholders, state government officials, legislators, traditional and religious leaders, parents, alumni, and civil society to intervene constructively. Education is a collective responsibility, and its decline threatens the future of Katsina State. The government must urgently engage the unions in sincere dialogue, demonstrate political will, and commit to sustainable solutions that will prevent recurring strikes. Only through authentic engagement and decisive action can Katsina revive the lost glory of its educational institutions and restore hope in a system that should elicit pride, rather than despair.

May Almighty Allah guide us, bless Katsina State, bless the North, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mustapha Muhammad Gimba writes from Katsina State.