The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abuja chapter, on Monday, lamented the deaths of some professors owing to the economic hardship in the nation.
Salahu Muhammed, the Union’s Abuja zonal coordinator said in a statement that some of the professors were from University of Abuja; Federal University of Technology, Minna; Federal University, Lafia; Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa and Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai.
He added that since the last decade, more Nigerian academics have been leaving the country in droves in search of greener pastures.
This, he noted, is leading to the overwork of the patriotic ones, whose level of patriotism is dwindling due to poor remuneration and working conditions.
“It is also worthy of note that the union has lost several members during the period under review due to herculean working conditions, psychological and emotional stress, and diseases related to these conditions. For instance, universities in the Abuja zone have lost 46 members.
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“Just two days ago, the union lost an eminent Professor of Fisheries, Johnson Oyero, of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, due to his inability to afford a quality medical facility,” Muhammed stated during a press briefing in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Union said only a few of its members received an amputated two-month salary from the Federal Government out of seven and the half-month salaries withheld during ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
At the time, Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay Policy’ against some university-based unions that embarked on strike that lasted eight months in 2022.
Emmanuel Osodeke, National President of ASUU who confirmed the development to Channels Television on Monday, said they are still collecting data on the payment.
“Even though they claimed that payment has started rolling in only a few have gotten just 2 months,” he said.
His comment comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2023 approved the release of four of the eight months’ withheld salaries.
