The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Branch, has demanded a review of staff salaries, insisting it is a fundamental right.

The Acting Chairperson, Comrade Andrew Apeh, addressed members on Thursday during the 2025 ASUU Day celebration at the Governor Peter Mbah Auditorium, ESUT main campus, Agbani. He encouraged them to maintain their pursuit of excellence and their welfare.

“As academic staff, we must continue to strive for excellence, inspiring our students and contributing to the growth of our nation,” said Comrade Apeh, emphasizing the continuous drive for high standards and national contribution.

Apeh highlighted the critical need for solidarity and a renewed dedication to the union’s welfare efforts, underscoring that improving their conditions remains a priority struggle.

He declared, “Our welfare is our fundamental right, and it’s time we demand it be addressed without politicization,” asserting their entitlement to fair treatment and timely resolution of their concerns.

Quoting Nelson Mandela’s words, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail,” Apeh motivated members to stand up and forcefully demand their rights.

He expressed deep concern that academic staff at ESUT receive significantly lower salaries compared to their peers in other state and federal universities.

Apeh lamented, “It pains greatly to see our counterparts receiving double our salary for almost a year now, while we battle for survival because our paltry salary no longer reflects the reality of today’s economic situation,” noting the financial hardship faced by members due to insufficient pay.

He urgently called for the implementation of the 25% and 35% wage award increments and a mandatory review of salaries to align them with national benchmarks. Apeh also demanded the immediate payment and mainstreaming of the long-overdue Earned Academic Allowance, which has been outstanding since 2008.

“We can’t wait any longer. This is an urgent call to the government and ESUT management to address our special plight,” he concluded, stressing the immediacy of their demands.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairperson of ASUU, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Comrade Zubairu Abdulmumini Loko, commended the union’s steadfastness, describing its resilience as “unbroken, unbent, and unbowed for decades.”

Loko pointed out the challenging and frustrating circumstances under which academics in Nigeria are forced to operate.

He strongly stated, “We teach like philosophers but are paid like apprentices. We produce research that transforms nations, yet struggle with facilities that belong in museums,” illustrating the disparity between the intellectual contribution and the physical and financial resources available.

Loko stressed that empowering academics is not a mere slogan but an ongoing and necessary struggle.

According to him, true academic empowerment includes: salaries that last the month, research grants that fund genuine research, infrastructure that upholds academic dignity, and university autonomy free from political interference.

“No nation jokes with its academics and expects serious development. Empower academics today and Nigeria will be transformed tomorrow,” Loko asserted, linking academic welfare directly to national progress.

Addressing the issue of wellness, he used a metaphor, saying that even lions rest.

“Comrades, you cannot lead a revolution with blood pressure higher than school fees. Wellness is not weakness; it is strategy,” he advised, urging members to prioritize their health.

He encouraged ESUT academics to maintain their unity, mentor younger colleagues, strengthen the union structures, safeguard their wellbeing, and speak out boldly against all forms of injustice.

Loko concluded with a warning, “If the system refuses to hear us, we shall speak louder,” signaling the union’s resolve.

Earlier, Comrade Ofukwu Raphael Agbo, National Resource Person, criticized Nigerian university professors for their perceived passivity when faced with injustice. He categorized professors into three groups and noted that many avoid conflict due to fear and politicization.

Agbo declared, “ASUU remains the last moral firewall protecting Nigerian universities from total collapse. Someone must speak truth to power, even when power pretends to be deaf,” highlighting the union’s crucial role as a defender of the university system.

The ASUU Day event included medical check-ups, health talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions for members.

Key highlights of the celebration featured the recognition and rewarding of retired and deceased members, the celebration of newly promoted ASUU professors, and the honoring of past ASUU-ESUT leaders.

Specific figures revealed that 27 ASUU-ESUT members are yet to receive their retirement benefits of ₦400,000 each.

Furthermore, the families of 16 deceased members are still owed death benefits amounting to ₦400,000 each.