The peaceful environment at Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) is now at risk of disruption. The institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning that continued breaches and delays by the university management in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) could force the union to resume its previously suspended strike.
ASUU-SAZU announced on Wednesday, the 10th of December, 2025, during a press conference held at the University’s Yuli Campus in Bauchi, that it has already initiated internal processes for a potential industrial action.
This measure, according to the union, is the final recourse necessary to secure its legitimate demands. The official communication was delivered by Comrade Awwal Hussain Nuhu, Chairperson, and Comrade Saleh Rimi Bagudu, Secretary of ASUU-SAZU.
The union was resolute in stating that the onus for the impending crisis rests entirely with the administration. ASUU-SAZU explicitly stated that it cannot be blamed should the strike occur, as the responsibility lies with the university management for failing to fulfill its obligations under the MoU.
The lecturers detailed their persistent attempts to engage the administration, noting that they had written to the University Governing Council on the 21st of August and 4th of December, 2025, reminding them of the MoU deadlines. Furthermore, the ASUU-Bauchi Zone also met the Council and sent reminders on behalf of the ASUU National President. Despite the university’s verbal promises of compliance following these interventions, the union reports that none of these commitments have been fulfilled, and the union has received no communication regarding the delay.
The union revealed that, after a one-year review, only approximately 30 percent of the MoU has been implemented. Key concerns cited by the union include: Salary Arrears, The MoU mandated full payment of salary arrears within twelve months, a deadline that lapsed on the 9th of December, 2025. Three months of arrears remain unpaid.
Contributory Pension Scheme have begun, the actuarial valuation of the pension backlog has not been approved, creating financial uncertainty for staff and leaving entitlements for some deceased members unsettled.
The union criticized the partial payments of the 25 percent/35 percent wage award arrears and demanded that all outstanding 2019 minimum wage adjustments be paid in one tranche.
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Outstanding issues include unpaid pensions, incomplete allowances, non-release of the White Paper on the Visitation Panel Report, failure to re-advertise the bursar position, and no implementation of staff training and retention programs.
While commending Governor Bala Mohammed for raising the university’s monthly allocation from N80 million to N400 million, which has positively affected university operations, ASUU-SAZU expressed strong concern over repeated lapses by the management that have undermined previous gains.
The union concluded that while the visitor (the Governor) fulfilled his commitments and provided unprecedented financial support, the management’s lack of transparency and indifference has continually frustrated MoU implementation.
Consequently, ASUU-SAZU has called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to intervene to maintain the harmonious relationship recently achieved within the university.