ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY SUSPENDS PROFESSOR OVER SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS ON LECTURERS' WELFARE

The management of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics following comments he made on social media regarding the welfare, salaries, and working conditions of lecturers at the institution.

The suspension was announced in an official statement issued by the University's Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chijioke Nwogu, who stated that the disciplinary action was taken over social media posts allegedly made by the professor, which the university described as being "inimical to the interests of the University" and uncomplimentary to the Visitor of the institution.

Professor Raised Concerns Over Lecturers' Welfare

Before his suspension, Professor Nwaeze had publicly alleged that lecturers at ABSU were among the lowest-paid university lecturers in Nigeria.

According to him, academic staff at the university are still being paid under the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government salary structure, despite being subjected to the 2024 tax regime.

He further claimed that the university had yet to implement subsequent salary agreements, including the agreement reportedly approved in December 2025, which took effect from January 1, 2026.

Allegations of Outstanding Salaries and Allowances

The professor also alleged that several lecturers promoted between 2023 and 2026 were yet to begin receiving salaries corresponding to their new academic ranks.

He further claimed that some staff members were still owed several months of salary arrears.

In addition, Professor Nwaeze alleged that:

• Deducted ASUU dues had not been remitted.
• Lecturers had never received their Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
• Outstanding cooperative deductions remained unpaid.
• Professors at ABSU earned significantly lower salaries compared to their counterparts in many federal and state universities.

He also expressed concern over what he described as the worsening financial challenges facing lecturers, alleging that many academic staff now depend on personal savings, loans, rental income, and royalties from intellectual property to meet personal and professional obligations.

University Orders Investigation

Reacting to the allegations, the management of Abia State University stated that it has constituted an investigative panel to examine the issues raised by the professor.

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the university announced that Professor Nwaeze has been placed on suspension with immediate effect.

According to the management, the suspension will remain in force until the investigative panel concludes its assignment and submits its findings.

Investigation Still Ongoing

At this stage, the allegations made by Professor Nwaeze remain under investigation, while the university maintains that appropriate steps are being taken to determine the facts surrounding the matter.

Members of the university community and the general public are expected to await the outcome of the investigation before any final decision is reached on the issues raised.