ASUU rejects ABSU lecturer’s suspension, vows to sustain strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, a lecturer at Abia State University (ABSU), and vowed to continue its indefinite strike until the academic is reinstated. The union accused the university management of acting unilaterally and failing to follow proper procedures outlined in the institution's regulations. The dispute comes amid broader tensions over unpaid salaries and welfare issues affecting university staff. The strike began on Tuesday, August 11, following prolonged negotiations over the non-payment of salaries. The university management suspended Professor Nwaeze, who teaches in the Department of Economics, the following day. This decision came after the professor posted content on social media deemed critical of the university and its governor, Alex Otti. According to ASUU, the suspension was unjustified and carried out without prior consultation or adherence to established protocols. Dr. Chidi Mbah, Chairman of ASUU-ABSU, stated that the union had clearly communicated its stance to the university administration during a recent meeting. He emphasized that if there were legitimate grounds for the suspension, the university should have adhered to the procedures set forth in its edicts. Mbah added that the union found no fault with Professor Nwaeze's actions and was unaware of any prior allegations against him. Mbah highlighted that the issues raised by Nwaeze regarding lecturers' salaries and welfare were accurate. He noted that ABSU lecturers are still being paid according to the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government salary structure, despite promotions. Many staff members receive only half of their due salaries, and some have not received payments for up to 44 months. Additionally, N473 million collected from workers’ cooperative funds had not been properly accounted for, a problem that dates back to a previous administration. The chairman revealed that the strike predates the social media post made by Professor Nwaeze, which led to his suspension. Following the incident, the national leadership of ASUU instructed the local chapter to oppose the suspension, ensuring that the strike would continue until Nwaeze was reinstated, regardless of whether other demands were met. Mbah warned that the suspension could discourage other lecturers from voicing concerns about their working conditions openly. The situation reflects deeper systemic issues within the university, including delayed salary payments and unresolved financial discrepancies. These problems have persisted through multiple administrations, with the current government expected to address them as part of its mandate. Despite repeated discussions and agreements reached in meetings, implementation has lagged, leading to growing frustration among staff. ASUU's continued resistance underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential impact on academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The union insists that the suspension of Professor Nwaeze is a direct challenge to these principles and must be resisted. With hundreds of lecturers affected by salary arrears, the demand for resolution remains urgent and uncompromising. The university management has yet to respond formally to the latest developments, but the standoff shows no signs of abating. As the strike continues, pressure mounts on both parties to find a resolution that addresses the underlying grievances of the teaching staff.