ASUU to Release Names of Resigned PhD Holders in Sa'adu Zungur University

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State, has announced plans to publicly disclose the names of thirty PhD holders who have resigned from the institution. This announcement was made in a press release issued by ASUU-SAZU branch chairperson, Awwal Hussain, on Saturday.

In response to a statement from the university’s Public Relations Officer, Auwal Hassan, which challenged earlier reports about the resignations, Hussain emphasized that ASUU has a verified list of the thirty staff members who left and will release this information at the appropriate time. He criticized the university’s administration for downplaying the serious issue of staff resignations and noted the lack of acknowledgment for several deceased academic staff members, suggesting this is an insult to the university's academic community.

Hussain stated, "The most alarming part is the acknowledgment of only one deceased academic staff member," while highlighting that at least seven faculty members had passed away in service to the university. He warned that the administration's approach could lead to further resignations as current staff reconsider their tenure at SAZU, citing that over thirty academic staff have already departed in search of better opportunities.

The ASUU-SAZU chairperson pointed out that while the university has reported six staff departures in less than two years, this figure does not reflect the true number of PhDs leaving the institution. He called on journalists to investigate the alarming trend and urged the university management to address the concerns regarding poor salaries and working conditions.

In light of these developments, the Bauchi State House of Assembly has pledged to conduct an investigation into the mass resignations of PhD holders, attributing the exodus to alleged inadequate compensation. During a plenary session, committee chairman on education, Nasiru Ala, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging the university to provide a position paper on the matter. He also suggested appointing an indigenous member to the governing council to help rectify ongoing issues affecting the university's performance.