Management of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil says, it has noted with dismay some “spurious and unfounded” allegations made by the ADUSTECH branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), with the intent to misinform the general public on the successes recorded by the Management and the Kano state Government.
In a statement obtained by Nigerian Kicker the Deputy Registrar and Head of Information, Media and Public Relations Unit of the Institution, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi says, “for the avoidance of doubt and contrary to claims of ASUU, the management under the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai, on assumption of office has vigorously pursued developmental projects and programmes intended to improve teaching and learning facilities and the working condition of members of staff.”
“The management for instance, has renovated Theaters and Lecture rooms and installed Multi-media facilities, public address systems and digital teaching aids to ease and enhance lecture deliveries.
“Similarly, the University Library was connected with Fibre Optic internet acquired from Galaxy Backbone, while state of the Arts equipments were installed at the Central Research Laboratory and connected with Solar-Powered Electricity supply in order to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
“It is worthy of note that on an annual basis, the management conducts total renovation of the Male and Female Students hostels, improve hygiene and sanitation of the boarding facilities in the hostels in order to ensure the students have a livable environment.
“With regards to allegations of non-release of Audited Accounts, the Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai led administration on assumption of office in 2023 inherited backlog of years 2020, 2021 and 2022 accounts that were not audited. The management engaged External Auditors who have audited the accounts from year 2020 to 2022 and these were released to public, while the year 2023 accounts of the University are with the External Auditors and the moment they submit their report, it will also be made aaailable to the public.
“To further clarify issues on Budget Performance Report, ASUU is aware that the management could not have Council Budget Monitoring Committee (BMC) that is responsible for determination of the report, because it was dissolved after dissolution of the 5th Governing Council. However, with reconstitution of the 6th Governing Council, a new Budget Monitoring Committee was constituted and have already considered the First and Second Quarter of 2025.
“As for the recruitment of academic staff for newly established programmes and departments, the University management inherited new Academic Departments that were given shaky foundation without adequate staffing, acute shortage of facilities and learning and teaching spaces.
“In view of that, the management submitted the request for recruitment of more staff and government approved part of the request, which has impacted on the successes recorded in the 2023 Accreditation Exercise by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The University is confident that government will also grant additional approvals for recruitment of more staff.
“With regards to appointment of staff on contract basis, some of the employed academic staff that were non-indigenes were earlier given permanent and pensionable appointment, but later the management received a Circular from the state government that directed for appointment of all non-indigenes on contract basis, hence the regularization of of their appointments.
“However, the Ministry for Higher Education has constituted a Committee to determine the issue and the University Management is awaiting for the report and further directives
“On the issue of reconnecting all sections of the University with the electricity, there was no time any section was disconnected but rather, the supply was rationalized due to escalating cost of running the University on Band ‘A’. The monthly Electricity Bill of the University was at a time running to Sixty Million Naira, which is unsustainable.
“When the current management came on board, it inherited a backlog of over N2 billion staff entitlements, but the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf settled over 80 percent of all the liabilities that included payment of Consequential Adjustments, Earned Academic Allowances, Hazard Allowance, SIWES/TP/Field Work allowance, Family Air Tickets and promotion arrears of members on Professorial Cadre.
“Moreso, recently, the management received and forwarded outstanding 25% and 35% salary increment of staff to the State Government and is receiving attention.
“The University recognizes the commitments and successes recorded by the state government in the education sector with its laudable policies such as the Declaration of State of Emergency on education, Foreign Scholarship for exceptionally brilliant graduates, the allocation of over 30 percent of the state budget to education, and being among the first few Governors to implement the new salary structure, as well as recent state outstanding performance of the state in West African Examination Council (WAEC) extermination.
“In conclusion, the management regards the allegations as politically motivated, because it could vividly recalled that less than a year into the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, one of the signatories of the ASUU ’s press release accused the state government of undermining the progress of education sector in the state.
“The University management therefore, wishes to call on the general public to disregard the allegations of ADUSTECH branch of ASUU, and despite the misinformation, the management will not derail from the good works of improving the welfare and living conditions of staff and students.
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