By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Government has received the report of the Fact-Finding Committee established by Governor Mai Mala Buni to review the welfare and remuneration of academic staff in selected state-owned universities across Nigeria.
The report was presented to the Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mohammed Goje, who received it on behalf of the state government.
Speaking during the presentation, Dr. Goje commended the committee for carrying out its assignment with diligence, professionalism and commitment.
He reaffirmed Governor Buni’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education through policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of academic staff, enhancing institutional performance and sustaining academic excellence.
He assured that the government would carefully study the committee’s findings and recommendations with a view to implementing practical and sustainable measures to improve staff welfare, strengthen institutional governance and consolidate the gains recorded in the education sector.
Dr. Goje noted that the Buni administration has continued to prioritise education through the construction of modern learning facilities, staff development initiatives, scholarship programmes and strategic investments designed to improve teaching, learning, research and innovation across the state’s tertiary institutions.
Earlier, the committee’s Chairman, Professor Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, represented by Professor Mohammed Musa Lawan, said the committee faithfully discharged its mandate in line with its terms of reference.
He explained that members visited Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, Bauchi State; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State; and Kaduna State University, where they engaged with university managements, academic staff unions and other stakeholders.
According to him, the committee examined remuneration structures, staff welfare policies, funding mechanisms, governance frameworks and best practices in university administration before developing recommendations for the Yobe State Government.
Among its key recommendations, the committee urged the government to implement the 2025 Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN/ASUU) agreement on the payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Conference Attendance and Training Allowance (CATA), and Professorial Allowance to boost staff motivation, curb brain drain and retain qualified academic personnel.
The committee also recommended the payment of outstanding arrears, provision of research grants, implementation of annual salary increments and other welfare incentives to enhance staff retention and improve the competitiveness of Yobe State-owned tertiary institutions.
It further advised the government to sustain adequate funding for tertiary institutions while encouraging them to diversify their internally generated revenue through commercial ventures, strategic investments and other innovative financing initiatives.
The report also called for the development of a comprehensive Yobe State Tertiary Education Policy to strengthen institutional governance, promote prudent financial management, improve accountability and provide a sustainable framework for managing state-owned tertiary institutions.
In addition, the committee recommended that university managements broaden their revenue base, improve financial discipline and pursue long-term institutional sustainability.
It also advised the state government to continue bearing electricity costs for its tertiary institutions, in line with practices observed in other state-owned universities visited during the study.
Professor Lawan commended Governor Buni’s administration for its sustained investment in modern infrastructure, staff capacity development and reforms aimed at improving the quality of higher education in Yobe State.
He also expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in the committee and the opportunity to undertake the assignment.
