Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, suspended Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze, an Economics lecturer, after his social media posts criticised lecturers’ salaries, unpaid entitlements and staff welfare.
The university announced the suspension on August 13, 2026, after the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ABSU branch (ASUU-ABSU), began an indefinite strike over outstanding staff demands.
What Nnamdi Nwaeze Said About ABSU Lecturers’ Pay
Nwaeze alleged that ABSU still paid lecturers under the 2009 salary structure agreed between ASUU and the Federal Government.
He also alleged that the university had not implemented newer salary structures and had failed to pay some lecturers according to their new ranks after promotions between 2023 and 2026.
According to his claims, some lecturers had accumulated salary arrears covering as many as 44 months.
Nwaeze further alleged that ABSU had not remitted deducted ASUU dues and had not paid Earned Academic Allowances to lecturers.
He also claimed that the government owed about ₦163 million in cooperative deductions.
The professor compared lecturers’ earnings with the income of commercial tricycle operators.
He wrote on Facebook: “Did you know that most professors in ABSU earn less than N400k monthly?”
Nwaeze then used a daily net income of ₦15,000 for a Keke driver to calculate a monthly income of ₦450,000 over 30 days.
He also claimed that lecturers in federal universities and some state universities earned between ₦1.3 million and ₦1.4 million monthly.
Why ABSU Suspended Nnamdi Nwaeze
ABSU said it suspended Nwaeze because of “various social media posts attributed to Professor Nwaeze”.
The university described the posts as “inimical to the interests of the University and uncomplimentary to the Visitor of the University”.
Rather than identify one specific post, the university said it had set up an investigative panel to examine the matter.
The suspension took immediate effect.
ABSU Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer Chijioke Nwogu signed the statement announcing the decision.
Nnamdi Nwaeze Responds to His Suspension
Nwaeze responded on social media after the university announced his suspension.
He wrote: “In life, somebody must pay the price for the liberation of others.”
He followed the statement with another message: “Don’t sympathize with me; instead, direct your sympathy to the paymasters.”
ABSU Suspension Comes During ASUU Strike
The suspension came one day after ASUU-ABSU declared a total and indefinite strike.
The union took the action after raising concerns about lecturers’ salaries, unpaid entitlements, promotion arrears, deductions and Earned Academic Allowances.
Nwaeze addressed several of those issues in his Facebook posts before ABSU announced his suspension.
Who Is Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze?
Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze teaches Economics at Abia State University, Uturu.
He previously served as Director of Information and Communication Services at ABSU.
Nwaeze left the position in February 2026 after about five years in the role.
What Happens Next?
The investigative panel will examine the posts and circumstances surrounding the suspension.
Nwaeze remains suspended while the investigation continues.
ABSU has not announced a final disciplinary decision against the professor.
