A Kaduna State court has authorised the Commissioner of Police to reopen the gates of Kaduna State University (KASU) following an industrial dispute that disrupted access to the institution.
The Principal District Court granted the order on November 10, directing the police commissioner to deploy designated officers, under the supervision of an authorised court official, to remove locks, chains and other barriers blocking the university gates.
The court also authorised the use of reasonable force where necessary to restore access to the campus for authorised staff and students.
The order will remain in force pending the hearing of a motion on notice or the interim order issued by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026.
The application was filed by the university’s management and Governing Council, which sought an injunction restraining three unions — the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) from locking the gates or preventing staff and students from accessing the campus.
In an affidavit supporting the application, the Chairman of KASU’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, said the National Industrial Court in Abuja had, on November 5, issued an interim order restraining the unions from commencing or participating in the industrial action.
Umar said the order, which was formally issued under seal on November 6, directed the unions to suspend the strike pending the determination of a motion before the court.
He alleged that despite being served with the court processes on November 9, the unions proceeded with the strike after a meeting with the university management.
According to the affidavit, the unions subsequently locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, preventing authorised personnel and students from accessing the facilities.
Umar said the action had disrupted academic and administrative activities, adding that the affected facilities remained inaccessible as of the latest inspection.
