At least 30 PhD holders, all members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State due to dissatisfaction with their working conditions and poor remuneration.
This was revealed by the ASUU Bauchi Zone Coordinator, Namo Timothy, during a press conference held on Friday at the university’s Yuli Campus. Timothy expressed grave concerns over the declining state of the institution, which he attributed to the poor management of both the university’s affairs and the welfare of its academic staff.
Timothy urged the Bauchi State government to declare a state of emergency at the university in order to address the ongoing issues. “Unless immediate and decisive action is taken, ASUU can no longer guarantee industrial harmony between its members at SAZU and the university administration,” he warned. He explained that several attempts to resolve these issues through dialogue with key stakeholders had failed to yield results.
One of the major grievances raised by ASUU members at SAZU is the lack of a pension or death benefit scheme, which is standard practice in most public institutions across Nigeria. Additionally, the university reportedly owes its academic staff over 650 million naira in Earned Academic Allowances and Excess Workload Allowances, dating back to 2012.
Timothy further criticized the university’s leadership for appointing a bursar with only a Higher National Diploma (HND), contrary to the institution’s regulations, which stipulate that candidates must hold at least a first degree. This appointment, he said, has significantly demoralized the academic staff and contributed to the exodus of highly trained professionals.
“The resignation of 30 PhD holders, who have sought better opportunities at other institutions, is a direct consequence of the university’s failure to secure their future,” Timothy lamented.
The ASUU Coordinator called on the Bauchi State government and the university administration to implement a comprehensive exit policy that includes pension and death benefits to retain and support its staff.
