- ASUU reported that Nigerian university lecturers are among the lowest paid globally, with salaries unchanged since 2009, impacting education quality
- The union emphasized that many academics migrate abroad for better conditions, while political aides earn significantly more than university professors
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has disclosed that Nigerian university lecturers, including professors, are some of the lowest-paid worldwide.
ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke revealed that Nigerian lecturers’ salaries have remained unchanged since 2009, except for a minor adjustment tied to the minimum wage.
According to him, “I don’t know of any country in Africa, be it South, North, Central and even West, where university lecturers earn as low as Nigerian counterparts.
“No lecturer in some of those African countries earns less than $2,000 (about N3.3 million) per month and those in professorship cadre earn up to $10,000 (N16.5 million) per month.
“But here in Nigeria, a professor is earning $300 (N495,000) per month which is less than half a million naira.
“Look at the wide gap and that is why you can’t see any foreign lecturers in Nigerian universities because our universities are not attractive to them. We’re the ones rushing to their countries and that is part of why our universities are ranked very low in global scale.
“So, we are the lowest paid lecturers as far as I know, in the whole world and those in government do not see this narrative as an issue that needs to be addressed.
“And the reason is simply because their children and family are not in Nigeria. They don’t attend Nigerian public schools. That is the situation we find ourselves in.”
“It is only the vice chancellors for example, by virtues of their offices, who earn something higher only when they are in that office as their salaries will come back to the normal amount after leaving.
“Whereas a special assistant to the Speaker of the House, for example, earns more than N1 million ($606) per month, which is more than double of the salaries of the highest-paid professor in the country.
“After all, a senator confessed recently to be earning up to N14 million per month in this same country where government is claiming there is no money and that the N14 million was not even enough for him.
“N14 million is about three years salaries of a highest paid professor.”
He highlighted that many Nigerian students and academics migrate abroad due to better working conditions and compensation in countries like the United States and United Kingdom, where professors can access personal aides and well-equipped laboratories.
Osodeke emphasized the detrimental impact on Nigeria’s educational system, where lecturers are overburdened and often handle large classes without adequate facilities. A senator recently disclosed earnings of up to N14 million monthly, approximately three years of a professor’s salary.
ASUU urged concerned Nigerians to support their efforts to improve conditions in public education, emphasizing that this is vital for the country’s progress and development.