University lecturers strike over pay, professor suspended

Lecturers at Abia State University (ABSU) have gone on strike, protesting what they describe as "near-slavery" conditions, particularly the stark contrast between their meager salaries and the earnings of those in less skilled or lower-ranking public service roles.

Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze, who holds three economics degrees, illustrated the pay disparity by comparing lecturers' monthly salaries with the daily earnings of commercial tricyclists and the monthly income of local government councillors. He pointed out that a tricyclist can earn more daily than a lecturer earns monthly, and a local councillor earns substantially more than a professor, despite lacking the same educational qualifications.

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A House of Assembly member earns about N8 million net salary in Abia State. Most appointees of this government can pay the salary of a professor and still have enough to take care of their families and personal needs.

Nwaeze further detailed the financial hardships faced by ABSU staff. Some lecturers have reportedly not been paid for up to 44 months, and those promoted between 2023 and 2026 have not received salaries reflecting their new ranks. Additionally, lecturers have not received Earned Academic Allowances, and significant amounts owed for cooperative deductions and union dues remain unpaid by the government. Nwaeze concluded that the lecturers are effectively subsidizing the state government.

Despite Nwaeze's constructive and respectful appeal for the Abia State government to resolve the issues and end the strike, the university authorities, led by Vice-Chancellor Ndukwe James Okeudo, immediately suspended the professor. This action was reportedly taken without following due process, such as issuing queries or allowing Nwaeze a chance to defend himself.

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All men of good conscience should plead with the Abia State government to pay ASUU-ABSU staff their due pay and end this strike within the shortest time.