The management of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State has refuted claims that 30 PhD holders have resigned from the institution due to poor salaries. In a press release issued on Sunday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Auwal Hassan, labeled the reports as “misleading, inaccurate, and unfounded.”
Hassan clarified that the university has not received any resignation letters from the alleged 30 PhD holders or any significant number of academic staff. He confirmed that only six PhD holders had left the university in the past year and 10 months, citing personal reasons unrelated to salary concerns.
“Our records show that only six PhD holders have exited or are currently away from the university for various personal reasons, none of which are related to salary issues,” Hassan said.
He also provided statistics on the academic staff, highlighting the absence of personnel due to sabbaticals, secondments, leave of absence, and dismissals for disciplinary reasons. According to the university’s records, SAZU currently employs 397 academic staff, including 18 Professors, 9 Readers, 57 Senior Lecturers, and a number of other ranks.
In contrast, the Bauchi zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) claimed that 30 PhD holders had resigned, citing poor handling of affairs at the institution. During a press conference on Friday, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator, Namo Timothy, alleged that the university was in a state of crisis, with staff facing issues like unpaid Earned Academic Allowance and Excess Workload Allowance, amounting to over 650 million naira since 2012.
Timothy called on the Bauchi State government to declare a state of emergency at the university, highlighting the absence of pension and death benefit schemes for staff. He also criticized the appointment of a Bursar with an HND, contrary to the university’s requirement for a first degree for the position.
The university, however, reiterated its commitment to the welfare of its staff, with Auwal Hassan stating that the institution has consistently prioritized salary payments, promotions, and other financial benefits, thanks to the support of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
As tensions continue between the university administration and ASUU, stakeholders await further actions to address the concerns raised by the union.