Strike: Court orders police to reopen Kaduna varsity gates

Kaduna State University gate

The Principal District Court of Kaduna State has authorised the Commissioner of Police to reopen the gates of Kaduna State University through designated officers and under the supervision of an authorised court official.

The order, which followed a motion ex parte filed by the university through its management and Governing Council, also directed the Commissioner of Police to break open any lock or remove any chain or other barrier securing the gates.

The motion, which was granted on November 10, also ordered the commissioner to use only such force as was reasonable and necessary to restore access to the campus for authorised staff and students.

According to the court, the 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 management and Governing Council of KASU went to court seeking an interim injunction restraining the unions from locking the gates of the university or preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the campus.

The unions listed as respondents are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, and National Association of Academic Technologists, alongside their respective officials.

In an affidavit supporting the application, the Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, said the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division, had, on November 5, 2026, issued an interim order restraining the unions from commencing, participating in or giving effect to the industrial action.

He said the order, which was enrolled and issued under seal on November 6, directed the unions to cease and desist from the strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the court.

According to the affidavit, the court processes, including the interim order, were served on the respondents at 2:30 pm on November 9, but the unions, notwithstanding, went on strike, even after meeting with the university management.

The Chairman of KASU’s Governing Council said the unions subsequently locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the affected facilities.

Umar said the development had disrupted the university’s academic and administrative activities, adding that the affected gates, offices and classrooms remained locked as of the latest inspection.