Education

Bauchi varsity dismisses claims of mass resignation by PhD holders over poor salary

The Management of Bauchi State Government-owned Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), has described as untrue, baseless and unfounded, a recent publication in some newspapers, alleging that not less than 30 PhD
holders have resigned from the University due to poor salaries.

While reacting to the story, the University through its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Auwal Hassan, stated that, “We wish to categorically debunk this claim as misleading, inaccurate and unfounded, as SAZU has not received any resignation letter from PhD staff citing poor salary as the reason.”

According to the University, “The University management, however, considers it necessary to set the record
straight and provide clarity on the matter. The university has not received any resignation letter from the purported 30 PhD holders or any significant number of academic staff.”

“Our record shows that only Six PhDs have exited or are away from the University in the past 1 year and 10 months of the tenure of this administration, citing various personal reasons not related to salary
concerns,” It added.

The university added that However, the statistics below show the number of the academic staff who are away either on sabbatical leave, leave of absence, or secondment, and those who, for one disciplinary reason or the other, are dismissed from the university.”

The release further contained that it also contained the number that resigned on their own for personal reasons, not related to poor pay.”

According to the University, “6 persons have been dismissed, based on abscondment or disciplinary grounds, 2 are on Sabbatical leave, 2 persons are on secondment, 2 persons are on leave of absence (LOA), 1 person

The University added that it is worth noting that Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) has a total number of
397 academic staff distributed as follows: 18 Professors, 9 Readers, 57 Senior Lecturers, 113 Lecturer I, 47 Lecturer II, 76 Assistant Lecturers and 77 Graduate Assistants.

The University stated that, through the support of the Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, it has consistently prioritised the welfare of and development of its staff, including Academic Staff, and has implemented various initiatives to enhance their working conditions, which involves timely salary payment and other financial benefits.

Also, under the leadership of the current administration, since December 2022, the university has timely promoted numerous academic staff with full payment of promotion fees where applicable.

According to it, the statistics of promotions for the various cadres for 2022, 2023 and those under
Considerations for 2024 are as follows: 2022 promotion, Academic Staff with PhD, 5 Professors, 2 Readers, and 19 Senior Lecturers, while for 2023 promotion, Academic Staff with PhD, Professors, 6, Readers 4, and Senior Lecturer 17.

For the 2024 promotion, Academic Staff with PhD are 2 Professors, 5 Readers, and 20 Senior lecturers, stating that “All in all, the University has a total number of 80 PhD holders presently.”

The university added that it ensures regular training and retraining of staff, which is in line with the vision and mission of the governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.

It stressed that, “Recently, about 100 Academic Staff of the Institution have been trained on Writing Grant-Winning Concept Notes and Proposals, organised by the University in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation (CER), training of all HoDs and Deans conducted by the School of Postgraduate Studies, and a proposed capacity-building training for junior academics by the Directorate of Academic Planning & Quality Assurance.”

The management stated that the university has never missed out on any opportunity to nominate and sponsor staff for training either by TETfund, NUC, JAMB, NYSC, the Committee of Vice Chancellors, or any other organisation that requests nominations from the university.

It added that the State government, under the able leadership of the governor, has approved the release of the sum of N153 million, fund meant for NUC accreditation of courses to enhance academic excellence, disclosing that 60% of the fund has already been disbursed to the University.

“Previously, the University received both financial and in-kind support from the State Government for the conduct of its maiden combined convocation, the 1st one in the history of the university.

“Recognising the significance of autonomy in the employment of staff for the university, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has given the university council a free hand for the employment of staff,” it added.

According to the management, Under the leadership of the current administration, not less than 160 qualified Staff have been employed, and recently, there is an ongoing advertisement for the employment of more Academic Staff to cater for the growing needs of the University and ensure academic
excellence.”

It stressed that the state government is committed to improving the University’s physical infrastructure, with the construction of a 2.8-access road on the main campus, in addition to another road around the staff quarters in Gadau Currently, Two requests, one for complete perimeter fencing of all the
campuses and the other, for the construction of an additional hostel block on the Yuli campus, are receiving positive consideration from the Governor.

Furthermore, the University stated that it has implemented the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and has been paying responsibility allowance, SIWES/teaching practice supervision, PG supervision, etc.

It added that, “Recently, the University is preparing a submission for Council’s approval for the payment of the remaining 50% of excess workload owed as backload, and also that of the 2022/2023 academic session that was only submitted to Management by the Union on Thursday 26th September, a day prior to the
publication of the so-called claim.”

“With respect to exit or retirement/death benefit plan, SAZU Staff are covered by the retirement and death benefit policy of the State Government. Currently, the only lone staff (a non-teaching staff) who has retired and the only lone staff (academic), who passed away and whose family has applied, are being processed,” It added.

According to the management,Worthy of noting here is the fact the University has never, in the history of its establishment, enjoyed the immense attention and support of Government in the manner that it is receiving from this Government. Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), therefore, remains committed to providing a conducive academic environment and supporting the professional growth of its staff.”

It stressed “we value our PhD holders and academic staffs, recognising their critical role in advancing academic excellence. We urge the public to disregard the misleading report and verify information through official channels. The university welcomes constructive engagement and fact-based discussions.”

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