At least 30 members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State.
This was revealed by Namo Timothy, the ASUU Zonal Coordinator for Bauchi Zone, during a press conference on Friday at the university’s Yuli Campus.
Timothy said the state-owned university is in a dire situation due to poor management and lack of concern for staff welfare. He called on the Bauchi government to declare a state of emergency to address the long-standing issues, warning that if not resolved, the union could no longer ensure smooth relations between ASUU members and the university administration.
Timothy lamented that ASUU members at SAZU do not receive pensions or death benefits, which are standard in public institutions nationwide. He added that the university owes its staff over 650 million naira in unpaid allowances from 2012. According to him, efforts to resolve these problems through discussions with key stakeholders have failed.
He also criticised appointing a bursar with an HND qualification, which he said goes against the university’s requirement that bursars have 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 stated, as he called on the government and university management to establish a proper pension and death benefit scheme for the staff.
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