The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo branch, on Tuesday, joined the nationwide protest by the union, demanding the immediate implementation of Federal Government re-negotiated 2009 agreement.
Professors and senior lecturers marched through the Town Campus, University Annex, and Ikpa Road, displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Our salaries are too poor,” “Pay us sustainable living wages,” “Treat lecturers with dignity,” “We are FG lecturers, not borrowers,” and “Government, please sign and implement our renegotiated agreement.”
The protest crippled academic and social activities across the three campuses, forcing the suspension of all examinations scheduled for August 26, 2025.
Addressing the protest, the branch Chairperson, Prof. Opeyemi Olajide, expressed anger that university lecturers had been on the same salary structure for over 16 years despite worsening economic conditions.
He condemned the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement or adjust lecturers’ salaries since 2012, when it was due.
He also lamented the non-payment of third-party deductions and arrears of promotions, stressing that the union would not continue to allow its members’ welfare to be treated with contempt.
Prof. Olajide directed students to vacate CBT examination halls, warning that, an indefinite strike might follow if government fails to act.
“Today, we are protesting to show how the Federal Government has chosen to destroy the public university system as it did to public primary and secondary schools.
“For 16 years, our salaries have remained stagnant while infrastructure in universities has been neglected. Enough is enough,” he declared”.
Also speaking, former branch Chairperson, Dr. Nwachukwu Anyim, described as “wicked and hypocritical” the Federal Government’s move to review salaries of political office holders, while ignoring lecturers who have endured frozen wages for over a decade.
He said: “It is wickedness of the highest order for politicians on jumbo salaries to even imagine another review, while lecturers’ pay has been static for 15 years.
“We don’t enjoy going on strike, but the situation leaves us with no choice.”
