Pen Caleb

13/08/2026

ABIA AS ALWAYS IS ON THE MAP: PROFESSOR SUSPENDED AFTER POSTING WHAT ABSU STAFF ARE PASSING THROUGH UNDER DR. OTTI

Abia, as always, is once again on the map.

Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics over what the university described as social media posts considered “inimical to the interests of the University” and “uncomplimentary” to its Visitor, Governor Alex Otti.

The suspension, announced on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by the university’s Media and Public Relations Unit, is said to take immediate effect and will remain in force pending the outcome of an investigative panel constituted by the university management.

Interestingly, ABSU did not disclose the specific social media posts allegedly made by Professor Nwaeze. Neither did the university explain in detail what exactly made the publications “inimical to the interests of the University” or “uncomplimentary” to the Governor.

And this is where the real conversation begins.

At a time when concerns over the welfare of staff of Abia State University have become a subject of public discussion, questions naturally arise about whether an academic should be punished merely for speaking about the conditions affecting him and his colleagues. If Professor Nwaeze was indeed speaking about unpaid arrears, salaries, minimum wage implementation or other challenges confronting university workers, should raising those concerns be regarded as an offence?

Criticism of a government or its policies should not automatically be interpreted as an attack on the institution or its Visitor. Universities are expected to be places where ideas, arguments and even uncomfortable truths can be freely expressed.

Professor Nwaeze has not been declared guilty of any criminal offence, nor has the university announced a final disciplinary finding against him. His suspension is pending investigation, and he is entitled to fair hearing.

The investigative panel therefore has an important responsibility: it must establish exactly what the professor said, the rule he allegedly breached, and whether his comments genuinely constituted misconduct or were simply an expression of legitimate concern about the welfare of ABSU staff.

The question Nigerians, and particularly Abians, will be asking is simple:

Is speaking about the challenges confronting university workers now considered being “uncomplimentary” to the Governor?

If there are specific rules Professor Nwaeze violated, let them be made public. If his statements were false, let the facts be presented and the allegations addressed. But if he merely spoke about the realities confronting his colleagues, then the matter deserves a broader conversation about academic freedom, workers’ rights and the place of constructive criticism in a democracy.

13/08/2026

They tried this around March, e no work. 😜😂😂

WHAT HAS PROF NNAMDI NWAEZE NOT BEEN CALLED?

The manner in which Dodoh Okafor has taken a personal stance against Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze, simply for expressing a divergent opinion on the policies of Governor Alex C. Otti, particularly on the recent scholarship awards to best graduating students in the last convocation, is deeply concerning.

What exactly has Prof. Nweze not been called? What insult has not been thrown at him? All because he chose to speak when others remained silent. He has been threatened with his job, labeled an “unmerited professor,” and even blackmailed over his role as ICS Director. Worse still, some of his colleagues appear to be aligning with this campaign.

But this goes beyond Prof. Nweze as an individual.

What Dodoh Okafor is attempting to create is a climate of fear, a system where university staff and public officials will think twice before speaking out, knowing that their jobs and reputations could come under coordinated attack.

It is important to also state that Prof. Nweze’s record speaks for itself. During his time as ICS Director, he introduced systems that improved transparency and accountability, particularly mechanisms that tracked result manipulation. Unsurprisingly, this did not sit well with those who benefited from the old system.

Many of the voices now attacking him, both among students and staff, may not be entirely neutral in this matter.

Prof. Nwaeze is not just any academic. He is an accomplished scholar, a first-class economist with decades of experience and a proven track record.

Attempts to discredit him through blackmail or intimidation will not erase that reality.

13/08/2026

Suspending Prof Nnamdi Nwaeze, is a clear testament of what is obtainable in Abia

12/08/2026

OFUJI media just returned back from their villages.
Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s outing today has kept them uncomfortable.

They are massaging Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to throw support to OFUJI yet, they are fielding Bourdex to unseat OUK. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

12/08/2026

Chai! Ofuji, take heart, bro.
Try again 2031..

Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Awala ya Uzo ato.

12/08/2026

That NGWA J0bless boy
Pen Caleb1

12/08/2026

ASUU-ABSU Declares Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Allowances, Promotion, Welfare Demands

ABSU Gate

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abia State University, Uturu Branch (ASUU-ABSU), has commenced an immediate, comprehensive and indefinite strike over the failure of the university authorities and relevant government bodies to address the union’s outstanding welfare demands and grievances.

The strike commenced on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Abia State University (ABSU) Administration on July 22, 2026.

In a letter addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Abia State University, Uturu, and signed by the ASUU-ABSU Chairperson, Dr. Chidi S. Mba, and the Secretary, Dr. Victor U. Obisike, the union said its members had resolved to embark on the industrial action over several unresolved issues.

Among the grievances listed by the union are:Non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria/ASUU Agreement.Irregular promotions and what the union described as “obnoxious notional promotions.”Non-remittance of members’ cooperative deductions.

Non-payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) dating back to 2009.Other outstanding welfare and conditions-of-service issues.

The union stated that the decision followed the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued on July 22, as well as the additional period allowed for the university administration and other relevant authorities to address the demands.

According to the statement, ASUU-ABSU said it had demonstrated “uncommon understanding and patience” while consistently pursuing the resolution of the issues through dialogue and negotiation.

The union said that, before issuing the ultimatum and throughout the period that followed, it had engaged extensively with the university management, the Governing Council and the government team in an effort to secure a lasting and amicable resolution to the outstanding welfare issues affecting its members and their ability to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

It, however, said those engagements had failed to produce satisfactory resolutions to the issues.

“At the Congress held today, 11th August 2026, the Union thoroughly x-rayed the outstanding welfare issues, which include:
Non-implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
Irregular promotions and the obnoxious notional promotions.
Non-remittance of our cooperative deductions.
Non-payment of outstanding EAA since 2009.
Other outstanding welfare demands.
“After extensive deliberation, Congress resolved that, having exhausted the available avenues of dialogue and negotiation without satisfactory resolution of the outstanding welfare demands, the Union shall embark on this action with effect from today, 11th August 2026.
“This shall remain effective until the satisfactory resolution of the outstanding welfare demands of our members. Consequently, there would be no more lectures, Academic Board meetings, Senate meetings, Convocation and other statutory meetings of academics until these demands are satisfactorily met,” the statement read.

The union expressed regret over the inconvenience the strike might cause the institution, stressing that the action was primarily aimed at addressing issues concerning the welfare of its members and their conditions of service.

“We therefore reiterate our commitment to constructive engagement and remain open to any meaningful intervention capable of bringing about a satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues.
“Thank you for your understanding,” the union added.

Meanwhile, findings by our reporter around the university indicated that the strike had already begun to generate anxiety among some students.
Some students were reportedly making calls to their parents and requesting transportation fares to enable them return home, while others appeared less concerned about the development.

The indefinite strike is expected to have a significant impact on the university’s academic calendar if it persists, with students likely to bear the consequences of the disruption to lectures and other academic activities.

The development also puts pressure on the university administration and other relevant authorities to engage the union and seek a resolution to the outstanding issues, particularly those relating to staff welfare and conditions of service.

12/08/2026

Hon PUO, why is ABSU not an exception?

12/08/2026

ASUU-ABSU STRIKE: MATTERS ARISING.

It is no longer news that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University branch, has downed tools in what it described as a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike.

All along, some of us decided not to talk about the ugly situation of ABSU staff until the union acted. Had any of us brought this up before now, the issue would have been dismissed as a political statement and tagged "information from the enemies of the state."

It is, therefore, imperative to educate objective minds to know that ASUU-ABSU members are among the most selfless, compassionate, understanding, and hardworking unions across all the universities in Nigeria. Even with little or no motivation, these academics and noble men have sacrificed their comfort and rights to ensure a seamless and stable academic calendar over these years. Here is why:

1. Did you know that ASUU-ABSU members are among the least paid university lecturers in Nigeria?
2. Did you know that members are being paid with the 2009 ASUU/FG Salary Structure? No other university in Nigeria is being paid with this agreement. You now know why ASUU-ABSU is the least paid in Nigeria.
3. Did you know that staff members are being taxed with the 2024 tax rate on the 2009 salary scale?
4. Did you know that there existed a 2024 ASUU/FG salary structure, which wasn't implemented in ABSU?
5. Did you also know that there is another existing ASUU salary structure from December 2025, which took effect January 1, 2026, which is yet to be implemented in ABSU?
6. Did you know that all lecturers promoted between 2023 and 2026 have not been paid salaries in their new promoted ranks, three years after?
7. Did you know that there are members of the union who haven't been paid for up to 44 months?
8. Did you know that arrears are not being paid?
9. Did you know that union dues deducted by the government are not being remitted to ASUU?
10. Did you know that lecturers in ABSU have never received their Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) in the history of the university?
11. Did you know that about N163 million in cooperative deductions are being owed by the government?
12. Are you aware that professors in all the federal and most state universities now earn between N1.3m to N1.4m as against what is obtainable in ABSU?

Let me be blunt at this time. Did you know that most professors in ABSU earn less than N400k monthly? At this salary scale, a Keke driver who earns a daily net income of just N15k (many earn N20k & above daily) would earn more than a professor in ABSU (N15k x 30 = N450k per month)?

Statistically, more than 85 percent of lecturers no longer drive their cars. There is no staff of Abia State University, teaching and non-teaching, who doesn't use borrowing, previous savings, rent income, or royalties from intellectual property to subsidize the Abia State government in order to do his/her job.

Hence, rather than receive a subsidy from the government, staff are the ones subsidizing the state government.

In this same Abia State, a Local Government Councilor who may not have an ordinary WAEC level certificate allegedly earns about N600k monthly. A House of Assembly member earns about N8 million naira net salary in Abia State. Most appointees of this government can pay the salaries of a professor and still have enough to take care of their family and personal needs.

In good faith, would you continue to work under such conditions if you were a staff? If your parents are the ones working there, how would you react?

Dear friends, this is not the time to play politics with such a sensitive welfare matter. All men of good conscience should plead with the Abia State government to pay ASUU-ABSU staff their due pay and end this strike within the shortest time.

The government has no financial excuse as to why it would not pay the lecturers, given the improved financial fortune of the state since 2023.

ASUU-ABSU members deserve a living wage; they deserve commendation and not condemnation.

Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze
Department of Economics,
Abia State University, Uturu.
12.08.2026.

12/08/2026

ABSU IS ON STRIKE BECAUSE OF INTERNAL ISSUES, NOT NECESSARILY ASUU NOD