Abia varsity suspends lecturer over Facebook post on workers’ pay

Abia State University has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, an Economics lecturer, following controversial Facebook posts he made regarding lecturer pay. The university's Deputy Registrar, Chijioke Nwogu, announced the suspension in a statement on Thursday, citing concerns about Nwaeze's posts, which were deemed harmful to the university's interests and disrespectful towards its leader.

Nwaeze claimed that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Abia State University were among the lowest-paid lecturers in Nigeria. He argued that the university continued to use a salary structure from 2009, while staff were taxed according to the current 2024 rate. Nwaeze also alleged that the 2024 ASUU-Federal Government salary structure and a new structure approved in December 2025 were not yet implemented.

He further stated that promoted lecturers between 2023 and 2026 had not received the correct salary increase, and some had outstanding salaries dating back up to 44 months. Additionally, Nwaeze accused the university of withholding union dues from ASUU and failing to pay Earned Academic Allowances to lecturers.

The university management responded by forming an investigative panel to investigate the claims made by Nwaeze. The suspension of the professor took effect immediately, pending the panel's findings.