The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.

The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.

“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”

He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.

In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.

“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.

The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.

Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.

“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.

ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.

The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.

In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.

“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.

He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.

The National Examination Council (NECO) has announced the results of the 2024 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) with a significant number of candidates securing credits in both English Language and Mathematics.

A total of 828,284 candidates, representing 60.55% of those who sat for the examination, achieved this milestone.

The results were officially disclosed on Thursday by NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.

He revealed that 1,376,436 candidates participated in the examination, which took place over a span of more than a month, starting on June 19 and concluding on July 26, 2024.

The marking process, which commenced on August 19, was concluded by September 8, allowing for the release of results within 55 days after the final exam.

In addition to the English and Mathematics credits, Wushishi noted that a broader 83.9% of candidates (1,147,597) achieved five credits or more, irrespective of English and Mathematics, reflecting an impressive performance in other subjects.

Wushishi provided detailed statistics on the examination:

– Number of candidates registered: 1,376,423 (706,950 males and 669,473 females).

– Number of candidates who sat: 1,367,736 (702,112 males and 665,624 females).

– Candidates with five credits, including English and Mathematics: 828,284 (60.55%).

– Candidates with five credits, excluding English and Mathematics: 1,147,597 (83.9%).

On examination malpractice, the NECO boss reported a decline in cases. While 12,030 candidates were involved in malpractice in 2023, the number dropped to 8,407 this year.

However, 40 schools across 17 states were found to have engaged in mass cheating and will face disciplinary action.

Also, 21 supervisors have been recommended for blacklisting due to misconduct, including extortion and drunkenness.

In a firm stance against academic fraud, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from what it described as “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic.

Education Minister Tahir Mamman, speaking while featuring on a Sunday Politics segment on Channels Television, monitored by Maga Icon Magazine, emphasised that Nigerians who earned degrees from these “illegal” institutions are tarnishing the country’s reputation.

He argued that the government’s action to nullify these certificates is justified, especially since authorities in the two Francophone West African nations have also classified the concerned institutions as fraudulent.

“The measure to invalidate these degrees is not harsh,” Mamman stated. “These institutions are not recognised even in their own countries, and we cannot allow Nigerians to continue parading certificates from such places.”

This move follows a series of revelations about the prevalence of degree certificate racketeering in the region.

Last year, an undercover journalist exposed how he managed to obtain a degree from a university in Benin Republic in less than two months, which he then used to enroll in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The expose prompted the Federal Government to suspend the accreditation of certificates from Togo and Benin Republic and initiate a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

In a press conference on Friday, marking his one year in office, Minister Mamman disclosed that more than 22,700 Nigerians were found to have obtained fake degree certificates from the two countries. The findings were part of a report submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by a committee tasked with investigating degree certificate racketeering by both foreign and local universities.

During his appearance on Sunday, Mamman clarified that the Federal Government officially recognises only three institutions in Togo and five in Benin Republic, labeling all others as illegal.

He added that many Nigerians holding these dubious certificates never even traveled abroad, but instead acquired them through corrupt dealings involving government officials both at home and abroad.

“These fake universities prey on the gullibility of Nigerians, who seek easy and quick academic qualifications,” the minister said.

Mamman also revealed that the offices of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary of the Government of the Federation have been instructed to identify and remove any government employees holding such invalid certificates.

He called on the private sector to take similar action, ensuring that no one with a fake degree is employed in Nigeria.