Over 1,000 lecturers from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, took to the streets today in a massive protest decrying the non-payment of their salaries for the past five years. This demonstration comes after repeated calls for action went unheeded, with the educators highlighting the dire consequences this financial strain has had on their lives and families.
The lecturers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), blocked the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, brandishing placards with messages like “Nigerian professors’ salaries are less than 500 dollars” and “Stop casualization of Nigerian academics.” The protest was not only a demand for their owed wages but also a desperate plea for better working conditions amidst Nigeria’s challenging economic climate.
One of the lecturers, Mr. Ibezim Echezona, spoke to the media, revealing the human cost of this crisis. “We’ve buried 12 of our colleagues who died waiting for their salaries,” he lamented. “This economic hardship has not only affected us but our families too. We don’t know who is holding our salaries, whether it’s the federal government, the Ministry of Education, or the university itself.”
This isn’t the first time UNIZIK staff have publicly expressed their frustration. Previous protests have centered around similar issues, including the notorious “no work, no pay” policy implemented during strikes, which further exacerbated the financial distress of the lecturers. The situation at UNIZIK mirrors broader challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, where funding issues and salary disputes have become all too common.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, whose term is ending soon, has previously expressed solidarity with the lecturers, acknowledging the deplorable conditions under which they work. However, the university administration seems unable to resolve the payment crisis independently, pointing toward a systemic issue involving government funding and policy on education.
The non-payment of salaries for such an extended period has led to a significant brain drain, with many academics seeking opportunities abroad or leaving academia altogether. This exodus threatens the quality of education and research in one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions of higher learning.
The protest has drawn attention from various quarters, including student unions, alumni associations, and civil society organizations, all advocating for immediate action to resolve the lecturers’ plight. The Nigerian government has yet to issue a formal response to today’s protest, but the severity of the situation demands urgent intervention to prevent further deterioration in the education sector.
This ongoing crisis at UNIZIK serves as a stark reminder of the broader issues within Nigeria’s educational system, where despite the country’s rich human resources, the lack of adequate funding and respect for educators continues to undermine academic excellence and societal development.