The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Sa’adu Zungur University, SAZU, branch, has warned 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.
The union said it has has begun internal processes to take the action as a last resort to enforce its legitimate demands.
The warning was issued on Wednesday during a press conference at the University’s Yuli Campus, Bauchi, by Comrade Awwal Hussain Nuhu, Chairperson, and Comrade Saleh Rimi Bagudu, Secretary of ASUU-SAZU.
The union said 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.
ASUU-SAZU said it had written to the University Governing Council on August 21 and December 4, 2025, reminding them of the MoU deadlines.
According to him, the ASUU-Bauchi Zone also met the Council and sent reminders on behalf of the ASUU National President. Although the university administration promised compliance, none of these commitments have been fulfilled, and the union has received no communication regarding the delay.
The union called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to intervene to maintain the harmonious relationship recently achieved within the university.
It also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for raising the university’s monthly allocation from N80 million to N400 million, which has positively affected university operations.
ASUU-SAZU, however, expressed concern over repeated lapses by the management that have undermined previous gains.
The union highlighted the failure to clear salary arrears, despite the MoU mandating full payment within twelve months—a deadline that expired on December 9, 2025. Three months of arrears remain unpaid.
The union also criticized the slow implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme saying deductions have started, but the actuarial valuation of the pension backlog has not been approved, leaving staff uncertain about retirement benefits while entitlements for some deceased members remain unsettled.
ASUU-SAZU also raised concerns over poor communication, noting that letters sent on August 14, November 19, and December 4, 2025, regarding arrears and entitlements were ignored.
The union also criticized partial payments of the 25 percent/35 percent wage award arrears and insisted that all outstanding 2019 minimum wage adjustments be paid in one tranche.
After a one-year review, the union said only 30 percent of the MoU has been implemented.
It mentioned that 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.
The union concluded that while the visitor fulfilled his commitments and provided unprecedented financial support, the management’s lack of transparency and indifference has continually frustrated MoU implementation.
ASUU-SAZU threatens strike over university’s failure to implement MoU
