The management of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi State, has Described as Misleading, Inaccurate and Unfounded some Media Publications Alleging that not Fewer than 30 PHD Holders Resign their Appointment from the University
From Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchí.
The Management of the Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchí State has debunked a recent news published by a cross section of media,Alleging that no less than 30 PHD Holders resigned from the University,due to poor salary.
“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.”
The university management however considers it necessary to set the record straight and provide clarity on the matter.
FACTS
1
The university has not received any resignation letter from the purported
30 PhD holders or any significant number of academic staff.
2
Our record shows that only six PhD, 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. However, the statistics below shows 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. It also contained the number that
resigned on their own for personal reasons, not related to poor pay.
DISMISSAL: 6 persons, based on abscondment or disciplinary grounds
SABBATICAL LEAVE: 2 persons
SECONDMENT: 2 persons
LEAVE OF ABSENCE (LOA): 1 person
It is worthy of noting that Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), has a total number of
397 academic staff .
• 3❖ 18 Professors
❖ 9 Readers
❖ 57 Senior Lecturers
❖ 113 Lecturer I
❖ 47 Lecturer II
❖ 76 Assistant Lecturers
❖ 77 Graduate Assistants
The university, through the support of His Excellency Governor Bala
Abdulkadir Mohammed (Executive Governor of Bauchi state), has
consistently prioritized the welfare of and development of its staff,
including academic staff, and has implemented various initiatives to
enhance their working conditions. This involves timely salary payment
and other financial benefits.
4
Under the leadership of the current administration, since December
2022, the university has timely promoted numerous academic staff with
full payment of promotion arrears where applicable. The statistics of
promotions for the various cadre, for 2022, 2023 and those under
consideration for 2024 are as follows:
2022 PROMOTION – ACADEMIC STAFF WITH PhD
• 5 Professors
• 2 Readers
• 19 Snr Lecturers
2023 PROMOTION – ACADEMIC STAFF WITH PhD
• Professors 6
• Readers 4
• Senior Lecturer 17 2
• Readers 5
• Senior Lecturers 20
All in all, the University has a total number of 80 PhD holders presently.
5
The University ensures regular training and retraining of staff which is in
line with the vision and mission of His Excellency Governor Bala
Abdulkadir Mohammed (Executive Governor of Bauchi state). Recently,
about 100 academic staff of the institution have been trained on Writing
Grant-Winning Concept Notes and Proposals, organized by the university
in collaboration with Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation
(CER)I, training of all HoDs and Deans conducted by the School of
Postgraduate Studies, and a proposed capacity building training for junior
academics by Directorate of Academic Planning & Quality Assurance. The
university has never missed out on any opportunity to nominate and
sponsor staff for training either by TETfund, NUC, JAMB, NYSC,
Committee of Vice Chancellors, or any other organization that requests
for nomination from the university.
6
The state government under the able leadership of His Excellency
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Executive Governor of Bauchi
state), has approved the released of the sum of One Hundred and FiftyThree Million Naira (N153m), fund meant for NUC accreditation of
courses to enhance academic excellence. Sixty percent (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.
7
Recognizing the significance of autonomy in the employment of staff for
the university, His Excellency Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed
(Executive Governor of Bauchi state), has given the university Council a hand for employment of staff. Under the leadership of the current
administration, not less than 160 qualified staff have been employed, and
recently, there is ongoing advert for the employment of more academic
staff to cater for the growing need of the university and ensure academic
excellence.
8
The state government is committed to improving the university’s physical
infrastructure, with the construction of 2.8km 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 construction of additional hostel block on
Yuli campus is receiving positive consideration by His Excellency.
9
The university has implemented the payment of Earned Academic
Allowances (EAA) and has been paying; responsibility allowance,
SIWES/teaching practice supervision, PG supervision, etc. Recently the
University is preparing 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.
10
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
11
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 a 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. We value our PhD holders and academic staff, recognizing 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 discussion.
End