University lecturers across Nigeria are once again voicing their frustration over poor salaries and worsening conditions in public universities, warning that another nationwide strike may soon become inevitable if the Federal Government continues to drag its feet on agreements. At the heart of the dispute is the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, which was concluded in December 2024 and submitted to the government in February 2025. Despite protests that rocked universities nationwide earlier this week, lecturers say government has failed to show genuine commitment.
For many academics, the issue is not just about figures on paper but about dignity, survival, and the value of education in Nigeria. Professors under the current Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure earn between N525,010 and N633,333 monthly, yet after deductions, some take home barely N300,000. Graduate Assistants are paid between N125,000 and N138,020, while Readers earn a maximum of N522,212. The figures, which appear low by Nigerian standards, become even more embarrassing when compared to what lecturers in countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe earn.
Lecturers say the reality is harsh. Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, lamented the decline in morale among academic staff. According to him, the pay is so poor that some lecturers sleep in their offices because they cannot afford rent. “When I was Vice Chancellor, I earned N900,000. Today, as a professor, I take home N700,000. My son saw my payslip and called it a joke. The system is collapsing, lecturers are exhausted, and the quality of teaching has dropped drastically,” he said.
Prof. Tunde Adeoye, a senior lecturer in Economics at UNILAG, echoed the same frustration, noting that many of his colleagues are unable to meet their most basic needs. He revealed that some academics with health conditions such as hypertension cannot even afford routine medication, while others have died due to lack of funds for treatment. “After deductions, a professor’s salary is about N300,000. Meanwhile, politicians enjoy constant pay reviews. Our colleagues in other African countries are better off, while here we are treated like afterthoughts,” he said.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, also expressed disappointment at what he described as the government’s double standards, accusing it of prioritising politicians over academics. He said stagnant wages have weakened universities’ ability to attract quality lecturers, destroyed morale, and reduced productivity. “Our salaries have been stagnant since 2009. Professors who were earning slightly above N400,000 still struggle to reach N500,000 despite decades of service. Yet government agencies continue to push for salary increases for political office holders. Our members are tired of empty promises,” he said, adding that the union would consult its congresses before announcing its next move.
The Federal Government, meanwhile, has scheduled a meeting with key officials from the ministries of Education and Labour, alongside the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to deliberate on how to reconcile the Nimi Briggs report with earlier committee drafts and align them with the national budget. The talks are expected to pave the way for phased implementation of the renegotiated agreement. However, ASUU revealed it was not invited to the meeting, fueling further distrust between the union and government.
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors also faulted successive administrations for what it described as the steady devaluation of academics in Nigeria. Its Secretary, Prof. Andrew Haruna, who has taught in more than ten European universities, said professors remain globally mobile, unlike many professions. According to him, a Nigerian professor earning N400,000 is the same academic who could easily earn $4,000 abroad. “It shows the value our leaders place on us. If Nigerian academics continue to be underpaid and undervalued, the country will keep losing its brightest minds,” he said.
ASUU’s Abuja zonal coordinator, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, stressed that the union had done its part by concluding renegotiations in December 2024. He warned that failure by government to act promptly could result in another shutdown of public universities, as earlier reports had merely gathered dust in filing cabinets. The union has already rejected government’s proposal of loan-style support funds, insisting that nothing short of proper salary review and improved conditions of service would be acceptable.
For now, lecturers across the country are waiting for what comes next. With students and parents weary of frequent disruptions in the academic calendar, the nation’s education sector once again finds itself on edge. Unless concrete measures are taken, another strike looms, threatening to worsen brain drain and further weaken Nigeria’s fragile university system.