Non-academic employees at Yobe State-owned tertiary institutions have given Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration a 14-day deadline to resolve outstanding welfare issues, raising the prospect of industrial action if their demands are not addressed.
Key takeaways
- The ultimatum began on October 28, 2026, and is due to end on November 11.
- NASU is seeking a retirement age of 65 for non-teaching employees in state tertiary institutions.
- The union wants immediate adoption of the revised 2024 CONTEDISS salary framework.
- It is also requesting approval of CONTTA and relevant Earned Allowances for eligible staff.
- Union leaders plan to meet again on November 12 if the state government does not respond within the deadline.
Pay and retirement demands
The Yobe State Council of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, known as NASU, said the unresolved matters concern the conditions of service for workers supporting the state’s higher-education system.
Among its central requests is the introduction of a 65-year retirement threshold for non-academic personnel employed by public tertiary institutions in the state. The union also called for immediate implementation of the reviewed 2024 Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, or CONTEDISS.
NASU further asked the government to approve the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, known as CONTTA, alongside applicable Earned Allowances.
Warning over disruption
The union said non-teaching personnel had not received the same treatment as academic employees, particularly in relation to allowances already cleared for lecturers. “Allowances similar to those approved for lecturers have not yet been extended to non-teaching workers,” it said.
NASU argued that administrative and other non-academic staff are vital to the day-to-day management and efficient functioning of tertiary institutions. It said their welfare should receive the same level of consideration and acknowledgment.
Failure to resolve the issues could weaken employee morale and interfere with the normal operations of the institutions, the union warned.
It called on Governor Buni and other relevant parties to act before the deadline lapses, saying the state should settle the demands to avert labour unrest and interruptions to activities across Yobe’s tertiary institutions.
If the administration does not meet the requests by November 11, the union’s leadership said it will reconvene on November 12 to decide its next steps.
