A group of academic staff at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, who were employed in 2023, have raised alarm over the non-payment of their salaries for more than a year, appealing directly to Governor Alex Otti for immediate intervention.
The affected lecturers, who spoke with Chronicles Reporters, said they feel completely neglected by both the university administration and the state government. Despite actively engaging in academic activities since their employment, they claimed their salaries stopped being paid in June 2024.
One of the lecturers, Chukwemeka Thompson, speaking on behalf of the affected group, explained that the sudden stoppage of salary payments came without prior notice or official explanation. “We were recruited in 2023 and began receiving salaries, but by June 2024, the payments abruptly stopped,” he said.
Thompson added that when they approached the university’s bursary department for clarification, they were directed to the Office of the Accountant General. Upon further inquiries with the university management, they were informed that the issue was no longer within the university’s purview.
“They told us that salary payments had been taken over by the state government, based on an instruction from higher authorities. When we returned to management to get clarity, they confirmed that the state had assumed control of the university’s autonomy,” he said.
He further recounted that they have endured broken promises for several months. According to him, there was a rumour in December 2024 that Governor Otti had addressed the issue, and they were told their outstanding salaries would be paid that same month—but nothing happened.
“Since then, no communication has come from either the university or the government. They keep saying efforts are ongoing. It’s emotionally draining. We’ve received no termination letters either, which means we’re still legally employed,” he stressed.
Thompson emphasized that each lecturer was issued a formal employment letter signed by university authorities. He said they remain hopeful that someone will draw the governor’s attention to their plight. “We’re pleading because many of us are going through severe hardship. We just want to be heard.”
Joining the appeal were two other lecturers—Dr. Nwosu Nkemakolam Bright and Okpechi Chinemerem—who urged Governor Otti to replicate his interventions in other sectors, including education. They cited his efforts in resolving issues at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, and called on him to show them the same compassion.
In their words, “We’re appealing to His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, to release our owed salaries, just like he did for workers in other ministries and institutions. We believe he can do the same for us.”
Confirming the lecturers’ claims, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ABSU Chapter, Chidi Mba, said most of the affected staff are qualified professionals who have been teaching, supervising projects, and contributing to the academic progress of students.
“The state government approved their employment, and they’ve been discharging duties like every other lecturer. They deserve to be regularized and paid,” Mba affirmed. “The truth is, they are going through a lot. Some can’t feed or pay rent. This situation is unacceptable.”
Despite the mounting complaints, neither the university authorities nor the Abia State Government had issued an official response as of the time this report was filed.
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