ASUU-ABSU STRIKE: MATTERS ARISING.

Did you know that most professors in ABSU earn less than N400k monthly? At this salary scale, a Keke driver who earns a daily net income of just N15k (many earn N20k & above daily) would earn more than a professor in ABSU (N15k x 30 = N450k per month)?

It is no longer news that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University branch, has downed tools in what it described as a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike.

All along, some of us decided not to talk about the ugly situation of ABSU staff until the union acted. Had any of us brought this up before now, the issue would have been dismissed as a political statement and tagged "information from the enemies of the state."

It is, therefore, imperative to educate objective minds to know that ASUU-ABSU members are among the most selfless, compassionate, understanding, and hardworking unions across all the universities in Nigeria. Even with little or no motivation, these academics and noble men have sacrificed their comfort and rights to ensure a seamless and stable academic calendar over these years. Here is why:

1. Did you know that ASUU-ABSU members are among the least paid university lecturers in Nigeria?

2. Did you know that members are being paid with the 2009 ASUU/FG Salary Structure? No other university in Nigeria is being paid with this agreement. You now know why ASUU-ABSU is the least paid in Nigeria.

3. Did you know that staff members are being taxed with the 2024 tax rate on the 2009 salary scale?

4. Did you know that there existed a 2024 ASUU/FG salary structure, which wasn't implemented in ABSU?

5. Did you also know that there is another existing ASUU salary structure from December 2025, which took effect January 1, 2026, which is yet to be implemented in ABSU?

6. Did you know that all lecturers promoted between 2023 and 2026 have not been paid salaries in their new promoted ranks, three years after?

7. Did you know that there are members of the union who haven't been paid for up to 44 months?

8. Did you know that arrears are not being paid?

9. Did you know that union dues deducted by the government are not being remitted to ASUU?

10. Did you know that lecturers in ABSU have never received their Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) in the history of the university?

11. Did you know that about N163 million in cooperative deductions are being owed by the government?

12. Are you aware that professors in all the federal and most state universities now earn between N1.3m to N1.4m as against what is obtainable in ABSU?

Let me be blunt at this time. Did you know that most professors in ABSU earn less than N400k monthly? At this salary scale, a Keke driver who earns a daily net income of just N15k (many earn N20k & above daily) would earn more than a professor in ABSU (N15k x 30 = N450k per month)?

Statistically, more than 85 percent of lecturers no longer drive their cars. There is no staff of Abia State University, teaching and non-teaching, who doesn't use borrowing, previous savings, rent income, or royalties from intellectual property to subsidize the Abia State government in order to do his/her job.

Hence, rather than receive a subsidy from the government, staff are the ones subsidizing the state government.

In this same Abia State, a Local Government Councilor who may not have an ordinary WAEC level certificate allegedly earns about N600k monthly. A House of Assembly member earns about N8 million naira net salary in Abia State. Most appointees of this government can pay the salaries of a professor and still have enough to take care of their family and personal needs.

In good faith, would you continue to work under such conditions if you were a staff? If your parents are the ones working there, how would you react?

Dear friends, this is not the time to play politics with such a sensitive welfare matter. 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.

The government has no financial excuse as to why it would not pay the lecturers, given the improved financial fortune of the state since 2023.

ASUU-ABSU members deserve a living wage; they deserve commendation and not condemnation.

Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze

Department of Economics,

Abia State University, Uturu.

12.08.2026.