Abia State University (ABSU) has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, over his Facebook posts claiming that some professors earn less than N400,000 monthly and that commercial tricycle riders (keke riders) make more money than professors.
Reason for Suspension
The university management said the social media posts were inimical to the interests of the institution. The suspension was announced in a statement released on Thursday, August 13, signed by Chijioke Nwogu, the Public Relations Officer and Deputy Registrar of ABSU.
Nwogu stated that an investigative panel has been constituted to examine the matter. The professor's posts, which went viral, sparked widespread debate about academic salaries in Nigeria.
Professor's Allegations
In his Facebook post, Nwaeze alleged that some professors at ABSU earn less than N400,000 monthly, a figure he claimed is lower than what commercial tricycle riders typically earn in a month. His comments drew mixed reactions, with some supporting his call for better pay for academics and others criticizing the comparison.
The university, however, viewed the posts as damaging to its reputation and took disciplinary action. The statement did not specify the duration of the suspension or the panel's terms of reference, but it confirmed that the investigation is underway.
Impact and Next Steps
The suspension has renewed conversations about the welfare of university lecturers in Nigeria, particularly in state-owned institutions. As the investigative panel begins its work, the university community awaits the outcome, which could set a precedent for how social media criticism by staff is handled.
