The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Sokoto State University (SSU), Professor Bello Yarima, has stated that the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu, approved the payment of lecturers’ outstanding salaries just a week before they commenced strike action.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Sokoto, Yarima confirmed that payments had already begun for eligible recipients. He also emphasised the importance of understanding and tolerance within the union.
He highlighted that a committee constituted by Governor Aliyu had investigated the issue and submitted its findings and recommendations to the government before the strike commenced.
“Surprisingly, on the very day the committee submitted its report, the lecturers embarked on strike. The outstanding salaries, some of which date back four years, were accumulated before Governor Aliyu assumed office,” Yarima explained.
He further noted that the university management and governing council had explored multiple avenues, including appeals and negotiations, before the industrial action, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
“We are pleased that the strike lasted only seven days and that academic activities have resumed. Administrative duties were not significantly disrupted, though minor adjustments were made to the students’ timetable. We commend the Governor for approving full payment of all outstanding arrears, despite the fact that these debts predated his administration.”
Yarima also revealed that renovations of lecture halls, theatres, staff quarters, and other university structures were ongoing. Additionally, the state government had provided extra private security personnel to complement the university’s existing security arrangements.
He disclosed that all 22 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at SSU had been fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“We have also submitted six new postgraduate programmes for resource verification and are awaiting approval. These include PhD in Economics, MSc in Economics, PhD in Environmental Sciences and Waste Management, PhD in Microbiological Science, MSc in Biological Science, and MSc in Applied Biology,” he added.
NAN recalls that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), SSU branch, embarked on an industrial action in February to press for their demands. These included the implementation of a 25% and 35% salary increase and the payment of accrued arrears from January 2024. Other demands included the settlement of outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) spanning seven academic sessions and the payment of promotion arrears for three academic sessions.
