Nigerian university professors are demanding a significant increase to their monthly salaries, with many calling for a base pay of ₦2.5 million. They argue that their current wages are unsustainable and a major reason for the ongoing brain drain in the country.
The calls are being spearheaded by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has long been at odds with the Federal Government over its failure to implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.
The Problem with Current Salaries
Currently, a professor in a Nigerian university earns between ₦525,010 and ₦633,333 per month, while graduate assistants make as little as ₦125,000. These figures are in stark contrast to the salaries of their counterparts across Africa. Professor Remi Aiyede of the University of Ibadan noted that most African professors earn between $2,000 and $4,000 monthly, stating, “A million naira is conservative. Professors in Nigeria should not earn less than ₦2.5m monthly.”
The low pay doesn’t just affect professors’ wallets; it impacts their quality of life and productivity. According to Professor Abigail Ndizika-Ogwezzy of the University of Lagos, lecturers are struggling to afford basic necessities. “Look at the reality—rent, feeding, school fees, healthcare. We are carrying the burden of three, four, five people. Many lecturers cannot pay their children’s school fees,” she explained.
A Stark Contrast to Politicians
The disparity between professors’ salaries and those of politicians is another point of contention. Professor Sheriffdeen Tella of Babcock University pointed out that a professor’s monthly earnings are significantly less than what a single legislator takes home. This gap forces many academics to rely on loans to survive.
Why Fair Pay Matters
Former ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, believes that paying professors what they are worth is critical for the future of Nigerian education. He warned that anything less than fair compensation will only worsen the brain drain, as talented academics leave the country for better opportunities abroad.
The professors’ demands underscore a crucial issue: if Nigeria wants its universities to be globally competitive, it must invest in its most valuable asset—its educators.
