Over 30 members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State, citing inadequate remuneration.
The ASUU Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Namo Timothy, revealed this during a press briefing held at the Yuli Campus of the university on Friday.
Timothy expressed concern that SAZU, a state-owned university, is nearing collapse due to poor management and the neglect of staff welfare.
He urged the Bauchi State government to declare a state of emergency at the university to address the ongoing mismanagement, warning that without intervention, the ASUU branch at SAZU could no longer ensure peaceful industrial relations with the university’s administration.
“The zone has engaged key stakeholders and exchanged several correspondences in an attempt to resolve these issues to no avail.”
He also highlighted that ASUU members at SAZU lack essential benefits like pensions and death benefit schemes, which are standard in public service across the country.
According to Timothy, the university owes its staff over 650 million naira in Earned Academic Allowances and Excess Workload Allowances, dating back to 2012.
Timothy criticized the appointment of a Higher National Diploma (HND) graduate as the university’s Bursar, a role that, according to university policy, should be filled by someone with at least a first degree.
“This has not only dampened the morale of our members in the university but forced many, including 30 trained PhD holders to resign and migrate to other institutions where their future is secured,” he added.
Timothy called on the Bauchi State government and SAZU’s administration to establish an exit policy that provides for staff pensions and death benefits.