Staff Training and Development Division

SECTION 45   STUDY LEAVE

1. A member of academic staff  and in exceptional circumstances, a member of non- academic staff may be granted study leave for the following purposes:
   1. To afford him/her an opportunity to write up research work, to use library or other facilities not available locally or to undertake extensive field work and the collection of materials.
   2. To write up a thesis for a higher degree, acquire a professional qualification, or
   3. To refresh his knowledge by contact with work being conducted elsewhere.
2. Study Leave may be allowed at the discretion of the Senate if:

1. Senate approves the programme of studies to be carried out; the relevant Head of Department is satisfied that a member can be spared without a replacement to be paid for by the University.
2. The applicant has, if one semester study leave is sought completed six semesters at the University since his first appointment or his/her return from previous study leave or training leave.
3. The applicant should undertake to submit a report to the Senate on the studies carried out, and to return to the University to work until the end of session in which he returns or for nine months (including any period of terminal leave) whichever is longer.

In any instance in which an applicant is not allowed a full study leave covered by paragraph (b) above, he may subsequently apply for the balance under the same conditions, but reckoning the deferred portion as if it has been taken immediately after the first portion, for the purpose of determining when he may next apply for study leave.

Any study leave not covered by these provision requires the approval of Council.

SECTION 46                STUDY LEAVE PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS

An application for study leave must be submitted to the Registrar through the Head of Department. The Registrar will forward it for consideration by Academic Policy Research and Publications Committee. Study leave will normally be granted on full pay but if the employee takes up paid employment during his study leave, he must inform the Vice-Chancellor who may reduce or suspend the payment of salary for the leave period.

1. Staff on study leave will be allowed passages for himself, wife and up to 5 children only.
2. Only those who are called upon or nominated by the University to undergo a special training or re-training programme in a special area of need of the University will be entitled to receive their normal salary plus allowances and approved tuition and other fees.
3. Staff who served the University for six semesters may be granted study leave pay for six months.

SECTION 47                                  TRAINING LEAVE

(i) An employee-academic or non- academic- may apply for training leave for the purpose of acquiring a higher degree or professional qualification or to upgrade professional, technical or administrative competence appropriate to the nature of his employment within the University.

(ii) Only employees who have been in the service of the University for not less than two sessions and are below the rank of senior lecturer or equivalent salary grade, shall be eligible to be considered for training leave.

Provided that:

1. Persons in the rank of Graduate Assistant in possession of only a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent may be granted training leave if they have served the University for up to one session; and
2. Persons of rank of senior lecturer or equivalent status and above may be granted training leave in very special circumstances which are certified by the Head of Department with the support of the Dean and Director as appropriate as being in the interest of the University.

(iii)Training leave shall be for a specified period approved for the purpose and shall not normally exceed three years.

4. An employee on training leave shall be entitled to the following entitlements and be required to fulfil the conditions indicated:

1. Full salary with increments at normal University rates.
2. Continue to be on the University pension scheme.
3. The University will give maintenance allowance of N2, 000.00 per annum for countries in Western Europe, other parts of the World and Africa. However in the U.S.A., Canada, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Japan, the maintenance allowance shall be N3, 000.00 per annum.
4. A book allowance at the rate of N20,000
5. Approved fees as prescribed by the training institution
6. Warm clothing allowance at the rate N300.00 in four years.
7. Thesis allowance at the rate of N400.00 for the duration of the course.
8. Transportation (if by air) at economy rate to and from the institution for trainee, wife and up to five children provided the duration of the leave is more than two Semesters.
1. Local course allowance of N100.00 per annum if the course is within the country and outside the trainee’s station.
10. Deposit two copies of thesis with the Registrar on your return.
11. Return to the services of the University for a minimum of twice the period of training leave to the maximum of five years.

SECTION 48   GENERAL CONDITIONS GOVERNING STUDY LEAVE OR TRAINING LEAVE

(i)Every employee granted training or study leave shall be requested to give an undertaking, or to enter into bond, to return to the service of the University immediately upon the expiration of the period of leave granted or upon the prior completion of the course or programme for which the leave was granted.

(ii)The period of bond shall be at the rate of twice the period of relevant study leave or training leave, subject to a maximum bond period of five years, and on such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an agreement to that effect.

(iii)If an employee fails to  return to duty on the completion of the said course or training programme or on the expiration of the period of the leave granted to him, he shall be liable to have his appointment terminated; and thereupon, shall be liable to refund to the University, the salary paid to him during the period of absence on the said leave, together with any allowance or other cost certified by the Bursar as having been incurred by the University for or on  behalf of the  employee concerned during the said study or training leave period.

(iv)Applications for study leave or training leave shall be submitted in duplicate through the Head of Department, to reach the Registrar not later than the middle of March in the year in which it is proposed to take such leave. A copy of the application for study or training leave shall be put in applicant’s personal file in the Registry and a copy shall be forwarded by the Registrar for consideration in the appropriate Committee.

5. Approved leave or training leave should normally be granted to commence at the beginning of the session following.
6. Every application for training leave shall be accompanied by evidence of admission to an approved institution together with such relevant information regarding tuition, passages and other costs and information as well as details of the training programme which the employee is intending to pursue. Similar details shall be required for a study leave.
7. Where a course of study or training programme is available in Nigeria, preference will be given to application for study leave or training in the University or training institution in Nigeria. In such cases, any applicant for study or training leave abroad shall satisfy the relevant committee that after making effort to that effect, the employee has not succeeded in obtaining admission in Nigeria.
8. Study leave or training leave is a privilege and not a right and the University is not bound to grant such leave to any employee.
9. Study leave and training leave are meant primarily for the training and upgrading of the permanent staff of the University and only in exceptional circumstances may an employee on contract appointment be considered for such leave.
10. An employee on training leave shall not change the course, place or institution for which the leave was granted without the prior approval of the institute. Failure to comply with this rule shall constitute misconduct and shall render the employee liable among other things to the withdrawal of the leave.
11. There shall be no automatic promotion to the post of Assistant Lecturer after Masters degree unless the trainee returns to the University.
12. The institution of training shall provide yearly report on progress of the trainee. Where such report is negative, the trainee may be withdrawn from the course.