The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed that 84 of its members have tragically passed away between May and August 2024, linking these losses to the severe economic strain caused by unpaid salaries. During a recent television program, ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke detailed the grim impact of financial hardship on university staff.

Prof. Osodeke lamented, “In the past three months, Nigerian universities have lost 84 academics due to the struggles our members are enduring.” He underscored the mounting difficulties faced by lecturers as salary payments are withheld and the costs of fuel and electricity continue to soar.

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Criticizing the Federal Government’s “no-work, no-pay” policy, which halts salary payments during strikes, Osodeke emphasized the urgent need for proper funding and fair wages for lecturers. He pointed out that after 15 years in the profession, his monthly salary is only N420,000.

On September 25, 2024, ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, calling for urgent attention to issues like the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the release of overdue salaries from the 2022 strike.