‘Our members are dying without pensions’ – Bauchi ASUU threatens showdown with govt
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised serious concerns regarding the welfare of its members, claiming that some have retired in poverty and others have died without receiving their entitled retirement benefits. The union has accused government officials of failing to address these issues despite a prior agreement aimed at resolving them.
In a statement released Wednesday, ASUU branch leaders Awwal Hussain Nuhu and Saleh Bagudu Rimi declared that the union would no longer ensure industrial peace if the outstanding pension entitlements remain unpaid.
The agreement in question was facilitated by Governor Bala Mohammed, who had previously pledged to enhance funding for the university and address other outstanding issues affecting academic staff. While the union acknowledged recent improvements in government funding—contributing to the university’s financial stability—it expressed disappointment that the pension dispute remains unresolved.
According to the union, the deadline for implementing the agreement elapsed on December 9, 2025, without any resolution to the accumulated pension obligations. The union claims that Governor Mohammed instructed the Head of Civil Service, the Commissioner for Higher Education, and the university’s Governing Council to address the pension backlog, but little action has been taken.
Union representatives noted that numerous letters requesting payment of arrears have gone unanswered by the relevant authorities. They described the situation as unjust to academics who have dedicated years to public service, leading many into severe financial distress.
“Some affected comrades have retired in penury, some have died without enjoying their benefits, some have left the service in frustration, while the majority remain at their duty posts, grinding it hard under excruciating conditions,” ASUU’s statement read.
The union criticized government officials for their apparent indifference, warning that such neglect could undermine efforts to bolster the state-owned university. Prolonged delays in addressing pension issues have generated significant frustration and diminished trust among faculty, complicating the maintenance of industrial harmony.
ASUU appealed to Governor Mohammed, in his role as Visitor to the university, to intervene and compel relevant authorities to clear the outstanding pension arrears. The union emphasized that its members should not be expected to work under what it termed an unjust situation without receiving their due entitlements.
“ASUU-SAZU cannot and will not continue to guarantee industrial harmony while our members are subjected to this brazen injustice,” the statement asserted.
While the union expressed a willingness to resolve the dispute through dialogue, it warned that it would consider all legitimate options to protect its members’ interests. The union reiterated that the Head of Civil Service should be held accountable if the continued failure to settle pension arrears leads to another industrial conflict at the university.
