The Principal District Court of Kaduna State has authorised the police to force open the gates of Kaduna State University (KASU) following an ongoing industrial dispute that has disrupted academic and administrative activities at the institution.

The court directed the Commissioner of Police to deploy designated officers, under the supervision of an authorised court official, to remove barriers preventing access to the university campus.

The order, granted on November 10, also empowers the police to break locks, remove chains and dismantle any other barriers securing the gates, using only reasonable and necessary force.

The development followed an ex parte application filed by the university’s management and Governing Council, seeking an interim injunction to prevent workers’ unions from shutting the gates or denying authorised staff and students access to the institution.

The affected unions are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), alongside their respective officials.

The directive came after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, had on November 5 issued an interim order restraining the three unions from commencing, participating in or giving effect to any industrial action pending the determination of a suit filed by the university.

The order, issued under the seal of the court on November 6, directed the unions to cease and desist from the strike while proceedings remained before the court.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the university’s application, the unions proceeded with the industrial action despite being served with the court processes at about 2:30 pm on November 9.

Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, alleged that the unions subsequently locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, preventing authorised personnel and students from accessing the facilities.

Umar told the court that the situation had disrupted academic and administrative operations, adding that the affected facilities remained inaccessible during the latest inspection.

The Principal District Court’s order is to remain in force pending the hearing of the motion on notice or the interim order issued by the National Industrial Court in suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026.

The dispute has its roots in unresolved welfare demands by the non-teaching staff unions, which had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Kaduna State Government and university management.

Their demands include the implementation of outstanding agreements, payment of allowances and arrears, salary adjustments, staff group life insurance and other welfare-related entitlements.

The National Industrial Court has fixed November 18 for the hearing of the substantive application concerning the industrial dispute.