Abia State University (ABSU) has escalated disciplinary proceedings against Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze, a professor in the Department of Economics, over his public criticism of alleged poor working conditions, unpaid salaries, and promotion arrears affecting academic staff. Nwaeze is scheduled to appear before the university's Governing Council Staff Disciplinary Committee on Friday, October 2, 2026. This development comes about six weeks after the university suspended Nwaeze following his public criticism.
Nwaeze's criticism was made through social media posts, where he alleged that lecturers at ABSU were among the least-paid university lecturers in Nigeria and claimed they were still being paid under the 2009 ASUU/FG salary structure. He also alleged that lecturers promoted between 2023 and 2026 had not received salaries reflecting their new ranks, while some academic staff had allegedly gone for as long as 44 months without receiving their salaries.
The university had initially suspended Nwaeze, but the suspension was subsequently lifted following pressure from the university's ASUU branch. However, the disciplinary process against him continued and was expanded to include an allegation of "Duty Abscondment". An internal memo dated September 10, 2026, invited Nwaeze to appear before an investigative panel, which he did on September 16.
A second memo dated September 30, 2026, indicates that the matter has now progressed to the university's Governing Council Staff Disciplinary Committee. The committee is scheduled to meet at 10:30am on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor's Conference Room. Sources told SaharaReporters that the disciplinary proceedings could lead to Nwaeze's dismissal, alleging that the university was targeting him because of his outspoken criticism of the treatment of academic staff.
Supporters of the professor have rejected the allegation of duty abscondment, insisting that he completed his semester teaching responsibilities, submitted students' results, and supervised project students as required. They described the continued proceedings as an attempt to punish Nwaeze for publicly raising concerns over lecturers' welfare, particularly after Governor Alex Otti acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances that triggered the strike.
Governor Otti had apologized to the university community over the strike on August 28, 2026, saying the industrial action at ABSU was avoidable. He acknowledged that the demands presented by ASUU were legitimate and that his administration had approved them, but bureaucratic delays and administrative bottlenecks prevented their prompt implementation.
The disciplinary proceedings against Nwaeze have raised concerns about academic freedom and the treatment of lecturers at ABSU. The outcome of the disciplinary committee's meeting on October 2, 2026, is expected to determine the professor's fate.
Key points
- The university's disciplinary proceedings against Nwaeze may lead to his dismissal.
- Nwaeze's criticism of poor working conditions and unpaid salaries was made through social media posts.
- Governor Alex Otti had apologized to the university community over the strike, acknowledging the legitimacy of the grievances.
