Professors Demand Minimum N2.5m Monthly Salary Amid Protests Over Poor Pay

Nigerian professors are demanding a minimum monthly salary of N2.5 million, arguing that anything less has become untenable in today’s economy.

On Tuesday, protests erupted across several campuses as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) decried the Federal Government’s failure to implement the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement. Lecturers have long complained about poor remuneration and deteriorating working conditions.

Currently, professors earn an average of N500,000 per month, with many reportedly struggling to afford decent housing and, in some cases, competing with students for bus space. Documents obtained by newsmen show that under the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), Graduate Assistants earn between N125,000 and N138,020 monthly, while professors earn between N525,010 and N633,333. Other categories includes: Assistant Lecturers: N150,000–N171,487, Lecturer II: N186,543–N209,693, Lecturer I: N239,292–N281,956, Senior Lecturer: N386,101–N480,780 and Readers: N436,392–N522,212.

In interviews, professors argued that salaries should reflect global standards. Prof. Remi Aiyede of the University of Ibadan noted that colleagues in other African countries earn the equivalent of $2,000–$4,000 monthly, adding that a government-commissioned report had already recommended figures around N2.5m.

“Professors in Nigeria should not earn less than N2.5m monthly. A million naira is conservative,” he said.

At the University of Lagos, Prof. Abigail Ndizika-Ogwezzy stressed that poor pay was forcing lecturers to overwork themselves.

“Anything less than N2.5m is not realistic. Rent in Akoka costs about N3m annually. Add children’s school fees, feeding, healthcare, transportation, and research—how do we cope? We are carrying the work of five people, and it is already impacting our health.”

Prof. Sheriffdeen Tela of Babcock University described the disparity between professors and political office holders as indefensible.

“Even at N1.2m a month, a professor’s yearly salary is less than what lawmakers take home monthly. Many professors live on loans because their pay is insufficient. Demanding N2.5m is reasonable,” he said.

Former ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, went further, suggesting professors should earn between N1m and N5m monthly if Nigeria truly values education.

“If Nigeria wants its universities to compete globally, professors must be paid what they are worth. Anything short of this will only worsen the brain drain” he warned.