By Ochigbo Glory Ada & Grace Ehi Unogwu – FUDMA
Staff of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) were thrown into jubilation on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, following the commencement of payment of 5 months’ Hazard Allowance arrears approved by the University management under Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman.
This is the first time benefiting staff, mostly from the Senior Non-Teaching cadre, are receiving the allowance since it was approved.
The payment came days after FUDMASSANU and NASU leadership met with the Vice-Chancellor and urged him to implement the agreement, noting that other universities had already paid. Prof. Othman had promised “to settle the outstanding allowances as soon as funds are available”, saying funds were first used to clear the recently approved Consolidated Academic Allowances (CATA) for teaching staff.
True to his promise, the VC directed immediate payment of the arrears once funds were available. Staff across departments expressed excitement as payment alerts dropped.
Jami’u Dogara, Unit Head of Maintenance at the ICT Directorate, said he was “delighted with the development and prayed profusely for both the University management and the union leaders.”
For Ibrahim Sunusi of the Radiology Department: “It is indeed a happy day and I cannot exactly describe how I felt when I received the alert. Honestly, I was confused at first, wondering if I was dreaming. I am truly glad, and this means a lot to me and my family.”
Aliyu Samaila, the University Calligrapher from the Registry, said he “had no prior knowledge about the disbursement of hazard allowances” until he saw the credit alert. Network Engineer Shu’aibu Adam added that the 4 months’ salary arrears and hazard allowance “have positively changed my life because I was not expecting them.”
In a related development, a delegation from the National Headquarters of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) paid a courtesy visit to FUDMA management on the same day as part of a national sensitization drive on pension administration and members’ welfare.
Receiving the delegation, ASUU FUDMA Branch Chairman Dr. Dahiru Rabe commended the national body “for its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and professional interests of University lecturers.” He said members “have long awaited clear direction on pension matters.”
The ASUU National leader, Comr. Ade Adedayo Adejumo, said the visit aimed to sensitize members on lingering pension issues, especially concerns around the Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO) Pension Services. He stressed that “it is no longer enough to merely enrol members in a pension scheme. We must ensure transparency, accountability, and timely access to retirement benefit.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Sulaiman, who received the delegation on behalf of VC Prof. M.K. Othman, acknowledged the importance of “a harmonious working relationship between the University administration and the Academic union.”