Abia university lifts lecturer’s suspension after ASUU appeal

Abia State University, Uturu, has provisionally lifted the suspension of Economics lecturer Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze following a written appeal from the institution’s Academic Staff Union chapter.

The university communicated the decision in a letter dated September 3, 2026, signed by Acting Registrar Dr Joy Nwankwo. “Following a written plea from ASUU-ABSU, the University Management hereby lifts your suspension effective immediately,” the letter stated.

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Following a written plea from ASUU-ABSU, the University Management hereby lifts your suspension effective immediately.

The decision does not end the matter. The university said the lifting of the suspension was “without prejudice to the extant investigative panel on you, whose ultimate report is being awaited.”

Nwaeze had earlier criticised conditions at the university in a Facebook post, citing low salaries and unpaid salaries and allowances. The university later suspended him indefinitely and set up a panel to investigate the matter.

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This lifting is, however, without prejudice to the extant investigative panel on you, whose ultimate report is being awaited.

His suspension triggered industrial action by ASUU-ABSU, which made his recall one of its conditions for ending the strike. The Abia State Government said the issue was an internal university matter, although Governor Alex Otti later met some of the union’s demands.

ASUU-ABSU chairman Prof Chidi Mba confirmed the suspension’s lifting but said the union would continue handling the case administratively. “Yes, the University has lifted the suspension. However, I cannot comment on the content. We are handling it administratively,” he said.

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Yes, the University has lifted the suspension. However, I cannot comment on the content. We are handling it administratively.