‘Our members are dying without pensions’ - Bauchi ASUU threatens showdown with govt

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Sa'adu Zungur University branch, known as ASUU-SAZU, has threatened industrial action against the Bauchi State Government due to pension arrears dating back over a decade. Members of the union have recounted stories of retired colleagues living in poverty and others who have passed away without receiving their retirement benefits.

The union's branch chairman and secretary, Awwal Hussain Nuhu and Saleh Bagudu Rimi, emphasized that the union will no longer ensure industrial peace if the outstanding entitlements are not promptly paid. They specifically accused the Head of Civil Service of neglecting the welfare of the academic staff.

The lecturers maintain that the Head of Civil Service bears responsibility for any breakdown of industrial harmony, pointing to the failure to implement the pension component of an agreement signed with the state government. The agreement followed a previous indefinite strike on November 29, 2024, and was brokered by Governor Bala Mohammed, who pledged to enhance university funding and address other issues affecting academic staff.

Despite acknowledging improvements in government funding, the union remains concerned that the pension issue has not been resolved.

The union's deadline for implementing the agreement was December 9, 2025, but the accumulated pension obligations remain unpaid. They claim that Governor Mohammed directed key officials, including the Head of Civil Service, Commissioner for Higher Education, and the university's Governing Council, to address the backlog, yet no meaningful action has been taken. The lecturers have also alleged that multiple letters requesting the payment of their arrears have remained unanswered.

Describing the situation as unfair to academics who have dedicated years to public service, the union highlighted the financial hardships endured by many members. Several affected colleagues have retired in poverty, some have died without benefits, and others have left the service in frustration. The union warned that the prolonged delay has eroded confidence among lecturers, making it increasingly challenging to maintain industrial harmony.

ASUU-SAZU appealed to the governor, as the university's Visitor, to intervene and direct the relevant authorities to settle the pension arrears. They stressed that their members should not be expected to continue working under what they describe as unjust conditions without receiving their rightful entitlements. The union is prepared to adopt all legitimate means to protect its members' interests and warned that if the pension issue results in another industrial dispute, the Head of Civil Service would bear full responsibility.