30 lecturers resign from Nigerian university over poor pay

Over 30 lecturers, all members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State, citing inadequate remuneration as a key factor.

This information was revealed by Namo Timothy, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, during a press conference held on Friday at the university’s Yuli Campus.

Timothy expressed concern over the state-owned institution, warning that it is facing severe challenges due to mismanagement and neglect of the university’s affairs, particularly the welfare of its staff.

He urged the Bauchi State government to declare a state of emergency in the university to address years of poor administration.

“Until and unless this is done, the ASUU branch zone can no longer guarantee industrial harmony between members of the ASUU SAZU branch and the university administration,” he stated.

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He further noted that efforts to resolve the issues through communication with key stakeholders had yielded no results.

Timothy also raised alarms over the lack of pension and death benefit schemes for ASUU members at SAZU, something he noted is standard in other public institutions across Nigeria.

He pointed out that the university administration owes its lecturers over ₦650 million in Earned Academic Allowance and Excess Workload Allowance dating back to 2012.

Additionally, Timothy criticized the appointment of a Higher National Diploma (HND) holder as the university’s bursar, despite the university’s policy that only candidates with at least a first degree qualify for the position. “This has not only dampened the morale of our members in the university but forced many, including 30 trained PhD holders, to resign and migrate to other institutions where their future is secured,” he added.

The ASUU Coordinator called on both the Bauchi State government and the university administration to implement a comprehensive exit policy that includes pension and death benefits for staff.

30 lecturers resign from Nigerian university over poor pay

30 dead, 326 houses, 800,000 farmlands destroyed in Kebbi flood

Kebbi State is facing a devastating crisis due to perennial flash floods that have claimed at least 30 lives, destroyed over 800,000 rice and crop farmlands, and washed away more than 326 houses.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, made this dire situation public during a press conference in Birnin Kebbi.

The floods have affected 16 local government areas, forcing households to seek refuge in makeshift camps and schools.

The state government has temporarily relocated them with relief materials to mitigate their losses and suffering.

However, Ahmed warned that without swift national and international intervention, the state’s food supply will be severely impacted, potentially leading to acute food shortages across the country.

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To combat the disaster, the government has activated an emergency flood defense mechanism to ensure quick responses to floods.

Additionally, they plan to work with traditional rulers to educate people about the risks of building on waterways and blocking drainages. If necessary, the government will relocate households that refuse to comply to safer areas.

Kebbi State’s geography, with its extensive flood plains and river valleys, makes it prone to flooding. The state’s economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, is particularly vulnerable to these disasters ². The government’s call for aid is critical to preventing further devastation and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

Key Impacts of the Floods:

– Lives Lost: At least 30 people have died due to the floods.

30 dead, 326 houses, 800,000 farmlands destroyed in Kebbi flood

JUST IN: Concern as ASUU issues 14-day strike notice

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its demands or face a fresh industrial action.

The union said it had extended the 21-day ultimatum earlier given to the government on August 18 by another 14 days within which it expects all the lingering issues to be fully addressed.

A statement signed by ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, said, “The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.

“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolved to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, 23rd

September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.

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“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.”

The union after its National Executive Council meeting held last month in Ibadan gave the 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address all the unresolved issues plaguing the public university system.

It said the issues in contention included conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; (b) release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries due to the 2022 strike action; release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

Its other demands include funding for the revitalization of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government budget, payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget; (h) proliferation of universities by federal and state governments; implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities; (j) illegal dissolution of Governing Councils; and University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS).

Osodeke said that the union met to review government’s response on Thursday, last week but noted with regret government’s failure to fully implement the Memoranda of Understanding/Actions (MOUs/MOAs) arising from the FGN/ASUU Agreement of 2009, particularly between 2013 and 2020.