By Suzan Edeh Bauchi
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi (SAZU) branch has threatened
to resume industrial action over what it described as poor implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the university’s management and the Bauchi State Government.
Recall that ASUU suspended its strike, embarked upon to press home the demands of its members, after signing an MoU with the Bauchi State Government and the University’s management in December Last year, following the intervention of Governor Bala Mohammed. The MoU, which has a 12-month implementation window has elapsed
Bauchi Government set up a panell to implement the MoU reached with ASUU about three days ago.
Chairperson of ASUU in SAZU, Prof. Auwal Hussain, while addressing journalists on the state of the implementation of the pact at the Yuli Campus of the University, said that after one year, the general assessment of the MoU “On 9th December, 2025, stands at 30 percent.”
He noted that the Management of the University has been foot-dragging full implementation of the articles of the MoU despite the upward review of the monthly allocation of the University from a paltry amount of about N80 Million to a humongous N400 Million by the Bauchi State Government to support seamless implementation of the MoU and expansion and development of the University.
Prof. Hussain said issues such as non-payment of the actuarial valuation of the pension backlog, incomplete settlement of allowances, non-release of the White Paper on the Visitation Panel Report, failure to re-advertise the position of Bursar and zero implementation of staff training.
He noted that management of the University skipped three months of salary arrears payment despite improved funding of the university, adding that “this action is unjustifiable, insensitive and a direct violation of the agreement.”
The Chairperson noted with dissatisfaction the piecemeal and fractional pattern of payment of the 25 and 35 percent Wage Award Arrears to its members by the management of the University.
“The Union also expresses deep dissatisfaction regarding the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme. Although deductions have commenced, the actuarial valuation of the pension backlog already completed and duly submitted has not received the required government response, leaving staff uncertain about their retirement benefits,” he said.
Prof. Hussain explained that both the management and the Governing Council of the University have ignored different correspondence of the Union seeking engagement on the smooth implementation of the MoU.
He added that the ASUU National President, through the ASUU-Bauchi Zone, also wrote several letters to both management and the Governing Council of the University, but to no avail.
“It must, therefore, be clearly understood by all stakeholders that while the Visitor fulfilled his commitments honourably and provided unprecedented financial support to the university, the management has repeatedly frustrated and jeopardised the entire implementation process through its lackadaisical, indifferent and non-transparent conduct.
“As a result of these persistent breaches and deliberate delays, the Union has already initiated the internal process required for resuming its earlier suspended strike as a final option to press home its demands,” he said.