Lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions are facing a dire situation as they decry the non-payment of salaries spanning eight months, stating that federal government as well as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has left them to rot.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) initiated the strike in February 2022, citing unmet demands by the Federal Government.
Expressing their anguish, Professor Ilami Kramah, a lecturer with 27 years of experience at the Rivers State University of Science, highlighted the severe toll the strike has taken.
In an interview, Prof. Kramah revealed that hunger and mounting debts have become prevalent issues, with some of his colleagues succumbing to these challenges and losing their lives.
Kramah said since the strike was called off none of the lecturers has received any salary for the period the strike lasted.
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“The very painful aspects are that neither the leadership of ASUU nor the Federal Government is picking our calls anymore, or making any moves towards the outstanding salaries.
“Many of us are now living from hand to mouth. Many lecturers have since died out of hunger, frustration, depression and debts. Many are rotting away. Some of us are with families and no more younger to also flee the country,” he revealed.
The strike, which lasted for eight months, resulted in the closure of public universities nationwide.
Despite the National Industrial Court affirming the validity of the no-work-no-pay policy in a judgment on a suit filed by the Federal Government against ASUU, lecturers claim they have not received any salary since the strike was called off.