Industrial Court Bars Kaduna State University Unions From Strike Action

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has issued an interim order restraining three labor unions at Kaduna State University (KASU) from initiating or participating in any form of strike. The directive, issued by Justice E. D. Subilim of the Abuja Judicial Division on November 5, 2026, mandates that the status quo be maintained until the court resolves the ongoing legal dispute.

Scope of the Court Order

According to the report from Channels Television, the court has explicitly prohibited the unions, their officers, and their agents from declaring, directing, or encouraging any industrial action. The injunction specifically targets the KASU branches of the following organizations:

• Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU)
• Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)
• National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)

The order further instructs these groups to cease any activities related to strike implementation while the court considers the substantive issues. This legal intervention follows a suit filed by the university’s administration, including the Governing Council and the Vice-Chancellor, under the case reference NICN/ABJ/329/2026.

Named Defendants and Legal Proceedings

The lawsuit names several union officials as defendants, including NASU branch chairman Nina Ochigbo and secretary Dahiru Musa, as well as SSANU chairman Sadiya Mustapha and secretary Nicholas Allen. The court has directed the university administration to ensure that all relevant legal documents—including the originating summons, the Motion on Notice, and supporting affidavits—are served to the defendants immediately.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for the Motion on Notice for November 18, 2026. The order, which was officially sealed in Abuja on November 6, 2026, and signed by Senior Registrar II Vallari Aaron Masomene, serves as a temporary measure to prevent disruption to university operations while the judicial process unfolds.

Context of the Dispute

While the court order provides a clear timeline for the upcoming hearing, the specific grievances or demands that prompted the unions to consider industrial action were not detailed in the source report. The legal action represents a significant development in the relationship between the KASU management and its staff unions, as the court seeks to maintain academic stability during the pendency of the suit.

As of now, the university and the unions remain bound by the court’s directive. Further clarity regarding the underlying causes of the conflict is expected to emerge during the proceedings scheduled for later in November.

Conclusion

The interim injunction issued by the National Industrial Court serves to pause potential labor unrest at Kaduna State University. By restraining the three unions from taking industrial action, the court has prioritized the continuation of university activities while the legal arguments from both the administration and the union leadership are reviewed in the coming weeks.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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