University lecturers may be heading for another strike as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) concludes its nationwide protests and prepares to hold congresses to decide the next step.
The protests were triggered by the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, despite earlier assurances. Although the Tinubu administration released N50bn earlier this year to settle earned academic allowances, lecturers insist that their demands on salary increases, improved conditions of service, university funding, autonomy, and a review of key education laws remain unmet.
A crucial government meeting is expected today, with the Ministers of Education and Labour, as well as the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in attendance. Discussions will centre on reconciling the 2009 agreement with the more recent Yayale Ahmed and Nimi Briggs reports, and on creating a timetable for phased implementation. Notably, ASUU was not invited to this meeting.
ASUU president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said members were frustrated with endless promises.
“Our members are tired of words without action. The protests are over, and we will consult our members on the next line of action,” he said.
Professors currently earn between N525,000 and N633,000 monthly under the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure, with graduate assistants earning as low as N125,000. ASUU leaders argue that the pay is too low, especially compared to the rising salaries of politicians.
Former Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, lamented the erosion of morale among lecturers.
“The morale is low, lecturers are poorly paid, and the quality of teaching is declining. As VC, I earned N900,000 monthly. Today, as a professor, I earn N700,000. My son saw my payslip and called it a joke,” he said.
ASUU insists that stagnant pay has weakened universities’ ability to attract and retain quality lecturers, worsened morale, and negatively affected academic output. Senior academics also note that after deductions, many professors take home barely N300,000, making it hard to pay rent, buy medication, or cater for family needs.
Prof. Tunde Adeoye of UNILAG stressed that Nigerian lecturers are worse off compared to their peers in countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe.
“Some of our members can’t even buy routine drugs for hypertension. Many have died because they couldn’t afford healthcare,” he said.
The Committee of Vice Chancellors also criticised successive governments for reducing the value of academics to just salary figures. Its secretary, Prof. Andrew Haruna, argued that Nigerian academics are undervalued compared to their global peers.
“I have taught in over 10 European universities. If I earn $4,000 abroad and you pay me N400,000 here, it shows the value you place on academics. Professors are internationally mobile, and Nigeria is failing to keep them,” Haruna said.
With lecturers threatening fresh action, stakeholders fear that public universities could once again be plunged into another shutdown if the government fails to act swiftly.
