The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reported that 84 of its members have died between May and August 2024, citing economic hardship and unpaid salaries as the primary reasons for these tragic losses.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made this announcement during an appearance on Channels Television’s socio-political program "Inside Sources," hosted by Laolu Akande. He explained that the challenging conditions faced by university staff have led to these fatalities, emphasizing that the government continues to withhold salaries while also increasing prices for fuel and electricity.
Prof. Osodeke criticized the Federal Government's "no-work, no-pay" policy, which impacts salary payments during strikes. He expressed concern that this policy is exacerbating the financial struggles of university staff, stating, “Despite this crisis, you are holding back three-and-a-half or more salaries on the no-work, no-pay policy. People are trying to survive, and everything is gone now.”
He urged the government to increase funding for higher education, highlighting that adequate compensation is essential for lecturers to effectively contribute to the education sector. Osodeke also pointed out his own situation, revealing that after 15 years as a professor, he earns only N420,000 per month. He stressed that without better financial support, Nigerian lecturers cannot compete on a global level.
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