Sa’adu Zungur University, SAZU, formerly known as Bauchi State University is reportedly facing imminent danger interms of staffing as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised alarm over the exodus of 30 trained PhD holders from the University as a result of deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions.
Addressing a news conference this Friday, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, noted with concerns that the absence of an employee exit policy has forced many of the best scholars to seek opportunities elsewhere, stated the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy,
“SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He made it clear that without a pension or death benefit scheme, their members feel insecure about their future.
The union also lampooned the management for failing to pay over 650 million naira in 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.
While lamenting the issues steep increases in student fees and a lack of commitment to staff training and development ASUU accused the university administration of neglecting staff welfare despite recent fee hikes of over 100 per cent for regular undergraduate programs.
The Union 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.
“Unless these issues are resolved, we can not guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He therefore called on the state government to declare a state of emergency in the university to address all contentious issues.
