The management of Abia State University (ABSU) has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Economics, Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, following controversial comments he made on social media concerning the remuneration of academic staff at the institution.
The university announced that the suspension takes immediate effect and explained that the decision was taken after the lecturer published posts alleging that some professors in the university earn less than N400,000 per month.
In the social media posts that sparked the controversy, Professor Nwaeze reportedly compared the salaries of university professors with the earnings of commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders. He claimed that the cumulative income of some Keke riders exceeded the monthly salaries paid to certain professors in the institution.
The comments generated widespread reactions online, with many social media users debating the state of university lecturers’ welfare and the economic realities facing academics in Nigeria. The posts quickly attracted public attention and drew responses from stakeholders within and outside the academic community.
However, the management of Abia State University viewed the lecturer’s remarks as damaging to the institution. In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer and Deputy Registrar, Chijioke Nwogu, the management stated that the comments were considered “inimical to the interests” of the university.
According to the statement, the university decided to place Professor Nwaeze on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter. The management stressed that the action was taken in line with the institution’s regulations and procedures.
The statement further disclosed that an investigative panel had been constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s social media publications. The panel has been mandated to determine the facts of the case, review the content of the posts, and establish whether the lecturer violated any university rules or professional standards through his public comments.
University authorities indicated that the investigative panel would submit its findings and recommendations after completing its work. The management noted that any further disciplinary measures would be based on the outcome of the investigation.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the welfare of lecturers in public universities and the broader challenges confronting higher education in Nigeria. Rising inflation, increased cost of living, and concerns about inadequate remuneration for academic staff have remained recurring issues in discussions involving university workers and government authorities.
While ABSU has not publicly addressed the substance of Professor Nwaeze’s claims regarding professors’ salaries, the institution maintained that staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that protects the image and integrity of the university.
As of the time of filing this report, Professor Nwaeze had not issued any public response to the suspension. It was also not immediately clear whether he had been invited to appear before the investigative panel.
The case is expected to continue attracting public interest, particularly among academics, students, labour unions, and education stakeholders who are closely watching the university’s next steps.
ABSU management reiterated that the institution remains committed to due process and assured that the investigation would be carried out fairly and transparently before any final decision is reached on the matter.
