At least 30 members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi State, due to deteriorating working conditions.
The Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Namo Timothy, disclosed this during a press conference held on Friday at the university’s Yuli Campus.
READ ALSO: Fedpoly Bauchi matriculates 100 degree students
He described the institution, owned by the Bauchi State government, as being “in the shadow of death” because of poor management of both the university’s affairs and the well-being of its staff.
Timothy urged the Bauchi State government to declare a state of emergency at SAZU, warning that without immediate intervention, the union could not guarantee industrial harmony between its members and the university’s administration.
“ASUU members at SAZU lack essential benefits such as pension and death benefits, which are standard in public service organizations across the country,” he said.
The ASUU coordinator further revealed that the university owed its members over N650 million in unpaid Earned Academic Allowances and Excess Workload Allowances dating back to 2012. He also expressed dismay over the appointment of a Higher National Diploma (HND) graduate as the university’s bursar, a position that, according to the institution’s service rules, requires a minimum of a first degree.
“The zone has engaged key stakeholders and exchanged several correspondences in an attempt to resolve these issues, but to no avail,” Timothy explained. “This has not only dampened the morale of our members but forced 30 trained PhD holders to resign and seek employment at institutions where their futures are more secure.”
