ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has expressed concern over the challenging working conditions faced by university lecturers, revealing a surprising trend of professors seeking Special Adviser positions for better pay.
Obi, the former Anambra State Governor, shared his dismay as a friend, a seasoned university professor, approached him to secure a role as a Special Adviser, citing more lucrative compensation compared to the dwindling earnings in academia.
In a recent post on his X handle, Obi highlighted the paradox where, after 14 years of service, Nigerian university professors now earn only 10 per cent of their income from the past decade. The revelation prompted a critical examination of the country’s education sector and the need for a committed workforce.
Obi emphasized the crucial role of education in national development and questioned how the sector could thrive when the remuneration for professors was regressing.
The story unveils the sobering reality of educators turning to alternative roles to secure a more sustainable livelihood.
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“While in Nsukka, I met one of those brilliant fellows I knew while I was a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in the 80s.
“The fellow graduated with a first class and became a lecturer in the institution. When I later visited the University as the then Governor of Anambra State, he proudly announced to me that he was already a professor and I rejoiced with him.
“I met him again in Nsukka on Wednesday, but our exchange of pleasantries resulted in very pathetic tales about his general welfare. I noticed in his look and mien that all his happiness of being a professor had vanished.
“He broke my heart when he requested that I put in words for him so that Hon Dennis Agbo can appoint him as Special Adviser when he wins.
“The reason for the bizarre request that shocked me was that he would earn more and receive more perks as an SA than as a Professor. Touched by this and applying my finance background I decided to do some comparative analysis.
“By January 31, 2010, the salary of a Nigerian University Professor was about N400,000. With the then prevalent exchange rate of N150.10 per dollar, the salary amounted to about $2665.
“Fourteen years later, on January 31, 2024, the salary of a University Professor remains about N400,000. With the prevailing exchange rate of N1,510 per dollar, the same salary now amounts to about $265.
“So after putting in 14 years of hard work, having attained the zenith of his academic career, a Nigerian University Professor now earns 10% of what he earned 14 years ago – this is only possible in Nigeria,” he said.