Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the previous general election, lamented on Thursday the working conditions of university professors.
Obi said he was recently broken when a buddy, a university professor for almost 14 years, asked him to write words for him so that he might be selected as a Special Adviser to a candidate running for the House of Representatives if he wins.
In a post on his X Twitter, the former Anambra State governor stated that the professor’s unusual request was because he would earn more and enjoy more benefits as a SA than as a professor.
Touched by the request, Obi stated that he conducted a comparable research and discovered that after 14 years of hard work and reaching the pinnacle of his academic career, a Nigerian university professor currently earns 10% of what he achieved 14 years ago, claiming that this is only conceivable in Nigeria.
Obi emphasised that the country needed as many hands and a motivated staff as possible in the education sector, given its essential role in national development.
He questioned how it could be possible while the country’s academics’ salaries were declining.
He said:
“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.”
cc: daily Post Ng
