By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Management of Bauchi State Government owned Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), has described as untrue, baseles and unfounded, recent publication in some newspapers, alleging that not less than 30 PhD
holders have resigned from the University due to poor salary.
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 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,” It added.
The University added that,”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.”
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 on
leave of absence (LOA), 1 person
The University added that,”It is worthy of noting that Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), has a total number of
397 academic staff distributed as follows18 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 prioritized 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 arears where applicable.
According to it, 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 while for 2023 promotion, Academic Staff with PhD, Professors, 6,
Readers 4 and Senior Lecturer 17.
For 2024 promotion, Academic Staff with PhD are 2 Professors, 5 Readers, 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, 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 Management stated that 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.
It added that the State Government under the able leadership of the
Governor has approved the release of the sum of N153m), 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.
Recognizing 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 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 ongoing advert for the employment of more Academic
Staff to cater for the growing need 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 2.8km access road on the main campus, in addition to another road around the staff quarters in Gadau while Currently, Two requests, one for complete perimeter fencing of all the
campuses and the other, for construction of additional hostel block on Yuli campus, are receiving positive consideration by 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 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 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.”
It stressed that,”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 discussions.”
