No fewer than thirty (30) PhD holders have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, due to poor working conditions and inadequate welfare, according to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone.
The union raised these concerns during a press conference held recently, highlighting the alarming trend of academics leaving the institution in search of better opportunities.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, underscored the gravity of the situation, attributing the mass resignation to the absence of an employee exit policy. “The absence of an employee exit policy has forced many of our best scholars to seek opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy stated.
He emphasized that the university lacks a pension scheme and death benefit plan, leaving staff members worried about their future. “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country,” he added, further stressing the insecurity faculty members face regarding their long-term welfare.
ASUU also condemned the administration of SAZU for its failure to settle accumulated entitlements amounting to over 650 million naira. These include earned academic allowances and honorariums owed to internal examiners. Timothy criticized the university for failing to compensate staff despite the substantial revenue it generates from postgraduate programs. “Despite generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” he said.
In addition to these financial concerns, the union highlighted other pressing issues, including a lack of staff training and development programs, as well as sharp increases in student fees. Timothy pointed out that while the university has raised fees for undergraduate programs by over 100 percent, it continues to claim insufficient funds to pay its staff. “The University claims there are no funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he remarked.
ASUU also expressed dissatisfaction with the prolonged tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has held the position since the university’s inception. The union argued that this has resulted in a lack of accountability and progressive policies within the institution. “This situation creates an environment where accountability and progressive policies are lacking,” Timothy emphasized, calling for compliance with established laws regarding appointments.
Given these numerous challenges, ASUU is calling on the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to urgently address staff welfare issues. Among their demands are the implementation of a comprehensive exit policy and the immediate payment of overdue allowances. “Unless these issues are resolved, we can not guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He further urged the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university, ensuring that all contentious issues are addressed to safeguard the future of both the academic staff and the institution.
