Iyunade Abayomi
The management of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, a lecturer in the Department of Economics, over comments he made on social media concerning the earnings of university professors and tricycle operators.
Nwaeze reportedly stated in a Facebook post that some professors at the institution earn less than ₦400,000 monthly, arguing that the combined earnings of some tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, could exceed the salaries received by professors.
The comments generated reactions on social media and subsequently drew the attention of the university management.
Following the development, the university suspended the lecturer with immediate effect, describing his social-media remarks as inimical to the interests of the institution.
The university also constituted a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the comments and determine the appropriate course of action.
The suspension has, however, attracted criticism from the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which described the action as unjust.
The party argued that the professor’s comments should be viewed in the context of wider concerns over the welfare, remuneration and working conditions of academic staff in Nigerian universities.
The APC called on the university management and the Abia State Government to reconsider the suspension and recall the lecturer.
The controversy has also reignited discussions about the financial challenges confronting academics in Nigeria, particularly amid rising living costs and concerns over the ability of university salaries to adequately meet the needs of lecturers.
The debate has extended beyond the specific comments attributed to Nwaeze, with stakeholders questioning the broader state of remuneration in the education sector and the factors influencing the earning capacity of workers in different professions.
While the university maintains that the lecturer’s conduct warranted disciplinary attention, supporters of Nwaeze have argued that discussing the earnings of lecturers should not, in itself, be treated as an offence.
The university’s investigative panel is expected to review the professor’s comments and the circumstances surrounding the social-media post before making recommendations to the institution’s management.
Until the investigation is concluded, the full circumstances behind the suspension remain subject to the outcome of the panel’s proceedings.
The development has continued to attract public attention, particularly among academics, students and political stakeholders, as discussions over university funding, lecturers’ welfare and freedom of expression continue.
The university is expected to communicate its next steps after the conclusion of the investigation.
