The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State has announced its intention to publicly identify 30 PhD holders who have resigned from their positions at the institution. This news was shared in a press release by ASUU-SAZU branch chairperson Awwal Hussain, who was responding to a statement from the university’s Public Relations Officer, Auwal Hassan. Hussain emphasized that ASUU has a verified list of the resigning staff and plans to release the names at an appropriate time. He criticized the university’s previous response as misleading and erroneous, arguing that it attempted to discredit the union’s claims regarding staff resignations.
Hussain expressed particular concern over the university’s acknowledgment of only one deceased staff member, asserting that this disregard signals a lack of respect for academic contributions within the institution. He stated that the ASUU records indicate at least seven academic staff members who had passed away during their service at SAZU, thereby challenging the university’s inadequate recognition of these losses. The response issued by the SAZU spokesman has been characterized by Hussain as both reckless and insulting, as it diminishes the contributions of deceased faculty to the institution and fails to acknowledge the impact of their loss on the academic community and their families.
The situation surrounding the faculty resignations has raised alarms within ASUU, with Hussain contending that the misrepresentation of the deceased staff contributes to an overall sense of insecurity among current faculty members. He suggested that such neglect could lead to further resignations, as academic staff might choose to leave for neighboring institutions where their contributions are valued and appreciated. Hussain viewed the discrepancies reported regarding faculty departures as indicative of deeper systemic issues within the university, which could compel other members to reconsider their futures at SAZU.
The ASUU chairperson pointed out that while staff often leave universities for better opportunities, there has been no reverse trend of faculty resigning from other institutions to join SAZU, indicating the unattractive conditions of service at the latter. He posited that ongoing resignations of PhD holders signal a troubling environment for academics within the university, particularly in light of the absence of adequate support and recognition from the administration. Hussain’s argument underscored that the lack of acknowledgment for even one resignation, particularly when sustained over time, reflects poorly on the leadership’s commitment to improving the working environment for academic staff.
Amidst these developments, the Bauchi State House of Assembly has committed to investigating the circumstances leading to the mass resignation of academic staff, specifically citing poor salaries and inadequate entitlements as contributing factors. A motion urging an investigation was presented by education committee chair Nasiru Ala during a plenary session, calling for a position paper from SAZU’s management to clarify the situation. This measure is seen as a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability from the institution’s administration in addressing the concerns raised by the ASUU and the broader academic community.
Ala further emphasized the need for collaboration with the state ministry for Higher Education and Regional Integration to discuss the government’s approach to tackling the issues that have negatively impacted the educational sector in Bauchi State. This call for action illustrates the urgency with which the House of Assembly views the plight of PhD holders and other academics at SAZU, reinforcing their commitment to advance educational standards and improve working conditions for faculty. As the investigation unfolds, the responses from both the university and the state government will be crucial in determining the future of academic staff at SAZU and addressing the systemic issues contributing to the ongoing resignations.
