Abia University, ABSU Lecturers Protest Against 11 Months Salaries Owed By Government

Lecturers from the Abia State University (ABSU), under the banner of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), staged a protest due to the non-payment of their salaries for 11 months by the state government. Dr. Chidi Mba, President of ASUU’s Abia chapter, emphasized the necessity of their protest after enduring neglect from authorities despite repeated attempts to address their grievances.The lecturers marched through Uturu community, engaging with traditional leaders, market traders, and students to highlight their plight. Dr. Mba expressed frustration with Governor Alex Otti, accusing him of deceiving both ASUU members and the public. He outlined several issues, including the non-fulfillment of a 2009 agreement with the Federal Government on salaries and allowances, which had remained unresolved despite ongoing negotiations.Another major concern raised was the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, which the lecturers argued was unfairly implemented, limiting their access to funds needed for daily expenses. They pointed out that while they support the state government’s infrastructural efforts, the current funding allocation is inadequate to cover their salary obligations, which amount to over N360 million monthly. Comparatively, other universities receive higher subventions, such as Ebonyi State University, which receives approximately N250 million out of its N285 million wage bill.The protest saw hundreds of lecturers carrying placards with messages demanding the fulfillment of agreements and fair treatment regarding salary payments and third-party deductions. They criticized the governor’s proposal to pay only 60% of their owed salaries, rejecting it outright and giving a two-week ultimatum for full compliance before threatening further protests.Dr. Mba clarified that their strike affected all ASUU-affiliated institutions nationwide, not just ABSU, and insisted on equitable treatment in salary payments similar to other state universities. He emphasized that failure to meet their demands would lead to escalated protests.