Bauchi varsity teachers allege absence of pension scheme, exit policy

The Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau (SAZUG), Bauchi State Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has lamented the ‘absence of conditions of service’ 13 years after the establishment of the institution.

The angry lecturers claimed that the several attempts to get the management and governing council to clearly define the pension scheme and staff exit policy have allegedly failed.

Addressing a press conference yesterday on the university’s campus, SAZUG Branch, Chairman of ASUU, Awwal Hussain Nuhu, said: “None of the staff of the university knows his/her fate after retirement or the fate of his/her family after his/her ultimate exit.

“It is pathetic, sorrowful, and lamentable to note that some of our members, who have passed away, have nothing to their families as death benefits despite their sacrifices and hard work through the years.”

The union alleged that the absence of a well-defined pension scheme for staff and lack of a structured pension plan were jeopardising the financial security of members who have diligently served the institution.

The chairman continued: “The University Administration and the Governing Council have been handling this issue with laxity. All efforts over the years to get the University Administration and the Governing Council to clearly work out a defined exit policy and dead benefit for the staff of the University proved abortive.

The lecturers urged the state government to urgently establish a robust pension scheme that ensures the long-term well-being of the university’s academic staff.

According to them, the university administration and governing council have over the years “intentionally ignored to address the union’s demands despite several correspondences sent to them.’

The union also demanded for the implementation of wage award and payment of arrears, stating: “It may be recalled that in 2023, ASUU was given a wage award of 35 per cent and 25 per cent, effective from January 2023. Many universities across the country (federal and state) have implemented the wage awards. It is, therefore, imperative that the university implements the wage award with arrears, effective from January 2023. 

“Furthermore, we demand the prompt payment of any outstanding arrears owed to academic staff. Delayed payments create undue financial strain and affect morale.”

The union also demanded for Excess Workload Allowance (EWLA) and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), which it said, are integral to recognising the additional efforts put forth by members.

These allowances, it argued, compensate for research, administrative duties, and other academic responsibilities.

The ASUU chair implored the government to take urgent action in addressing the mass exodus of talented and competent staff.