The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Sokoto State University Branch (ASUU-SSU) has appealed to the Sokoto state government to address critical issues affecting the university’s smooth operation.
A statement signed by the chairperson of the union in the school, Sa’idu Isa Abubakar, and the secretary, Hassan Aliyu, said quick resolutions of the issues, which include the reconstruction of the governing council, will help in improving the smooth running of the school.
“For the past nine months, Sokoto State University has been operating without a governing council due to its dissolution by the state government, an action that violates the Universities Act (Miscellaneous Act 2003) and Sokoto State University Law 2009.
“The Governing Council plays a pivotal role in decision-making, including staff recruitment, approval of staff’s promotions, financial matters, students’ admissions, and convocation, among others. Despite the Union’s letters urging the government to reconstitute the Council, no action has been taken.
“We appeal to the government to urgently reconstitute the Council for the smooth running of the university. Notably, the 2022–2023 promotion exercise has remained incomplete pending the Council’s approval since October 2023.
“Payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA): The Sokoto state government owes our members accumulated EAA for five academic sessions, with submissions made since 2022.
“Clearance of Outstanding Union’s Deductions: The union reminds the government of the need to clear the outstanding cooperative deductions and check-off dues. These monies were deducted from our members’ salaries by the Ministry of Finance Sokoto, yet the monies have not been remitted to the union’s accounts.
“Enactment of Salary Increment: The Presidential Committee on Salaries has approved a salary increase for tertiary institution staff, with professors receiving a 35% raise and other staff receiving a 25% increment, effective January 2023. The federal government has implemented this, and we kindly request that the state government do the same. Labour matters, including salaries, are negotiated centrally, as stipulated in the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Implementation of Wage Award: While the federal government has implemented the N 35,000 wage award for its workers, the Sokoto state government has not followed suit. We call on the government to implement it, especially considering the hardships caused by the fuel subsidy removal. Our members deserve the payment of six-month wage award arrears.”
The council also appeals to the government for immediate completion of University staff quarters: “The union appeals to the state government to urgently complete the staff quarters abandoned for over eleven years.
Addressing this will enhance campus security and alleviate transportation and accommodation challenges faced by our members.
“We earnestly hope that the Sokoto state government will address these demands to ensure the university’s efficient operation and the well-being of our members.”
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