Salary: Nigerian university suspends lecturer over Facebook post
Salary: Nigerian university suspends lecturer over Facebook post
The management of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has suspended a lecturer, Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, over a social media post in which he allegedly claimed that tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, earn more than some professors at the institution.
Nwaeze, a lecturer in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, reportedly made the comments on his Facebook page while discussing the salaries of university lecturers.
He allegedly stated that some professors at the university earn less than N400,000 monthly, adding that the cumulative income of some Keke riders was higher than the amount received by professors.
ABSU suspends lecturer
The university management reportedly took exception to the post and announced Nwaeze’s immediate suspension.
According to the institution, the lecturer’s social media comments were considered inimical to the interests of the university and capable of embarrassing the institution.
Management also constituted a panel to investigate the matter and determine the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s remarks.
The suspension has since generated reactions within and outside the university community, particularly over the lecturer’s decision to publicly discuss the earnings of academic staff.
Nwaeze’s alleged comments centred on the salary structure applicable to lecturers and the financial challenges facing academics at the institution.
APC condemns suspension
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the suspension, describing it as an example of intolerance by a government that claims to uphold democratic principles.
The party’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Eric Ikwuagwu, made the position known in a statement titled, “Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze is the hero of Abia democracy.”
Ikwuagwu argued that academics had historically played important roles in Nigeria’s struggle against authoritarian rule and had often spoken out on issues affecting society.
He cited the 1994 strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), saying it was largely connected to opposition to military dictatorship and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
‘Academics resisted military rule’
According to Ikwuagwu, academics and other intellectuals participated actively in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles during the military era.
He said ASUU was an important part of the resistance against military authoritarianism and maintained that the union continued to challenge policies it considered detrimental to the interests of Nigerians.
“During the military regime, academics and other intellectuals openly participated in Nigeria’s broader pro-democracy struggles. ASUU was a major part of the resistance against military authoritarianism and even the maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha tolerated it,” he said.
The APC spokesperson said it was therefore concerning that a lecturer could be suspended in a democratic era for making what the university described as uncomplimentary remarks.
APC defends professor’s salary claim
Ikwuagwu argued that Nwaeze’s comments were not merely an attack on the university but an attempt to draw attention to the salary situation of academic staff.
He claimed that the lecturer had spoken against the continued use of what he described as the 2009 salary structure to pay lecturers in 2026.
He also alleged that deductions introduced under the 2025 structure had further reduced lecturers’ take-home pay.
“The ‘uncomplimentary remarks’ was simply speaking up against the continued use of 2009 salary structure to pay them in 2026, while using the 2025 deductions to slash their salaries. He also stated that professors like him are paid less than N400,000 monthly salary,” the statement said.
The party maintained that if Nwaeze had been suspended for making false claims, the situation would have been different.
However, it argued that suspending him for speaking publicly about his concerns amounted to an attempt to suppress legitimate criticism.
Ikwuagwu described the suspension as callous and urged the authorities to reconsider their position.
The controversy has now placed renewed attention on the salaries and working conditions of academic staff in Nigerian universities, as well as the limits of freedom of expression for university lecturers when commenting publicly on institutional affairs.
