Report from Bauchi state, North East Nigeria says, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised alarm over the exodus of 30 trained Ph.D holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) formerly Bauchi State University, due to ‘deteriorating’ working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions.
This was disclosed during a press conference held on Friday, where ASUU officials detailed their concerns on the development.
“The absence of an employee exit policy has forced many of our best scholars to seek opportunities elsewhere,” the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy said.
“SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He said “without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel insecured about their future.”
The union also criticised SAZU’s administration for failing to pay over 650 million Naira accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners.
“Despite generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy added.
Other pressing issues discussed include steep increases in student fees and a lack of commitment to staff training and development.
The union accused the university administration of neglecting staff welfare despite recent fee hikes of over 100 per cent for regular undergraduate programs.
“The University claims there are no funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” Timothy said.
Furthermore, ASUU condemned the ongoing tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in position since the university’s establishment, and called for adherence to established laws regarding appointments.
“This situation creates an environment where accountability and progressive policies are lacking,” he emphasised.
In light of these challenges, ASUU is urging the Bauchi State Government and stakeholders to address the welfare of staff urgently, including the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the implementation of overdue allowances
“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He also called on the state government to declare a state of emergency in the university so that, all contentious issues are immediately addressed to secure the future of the academic staff and the institution.
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