The Crisis of Underpayment in Nigerian Universities
The recent social media discussions among Nigeria’s intellectual elite have highlighted the dire financial situation faced by university lecturers. Two incidents sparked these debates: one involving a professor who sells tomatoes and soup ingredients to make ends meet, and another concerning the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) planning a no-work-no-pay strike due to delayed salaries.
Many argue that scholars should not be forced into such desperate measures. They suggest that alternative income sources could help supplement their meager wages. However, others believe that the issue is more systemic than individual. If lecturers were to leave or focus on side jobs, it would severely impact the quality of education in Nigeria.
The problem lies in the structural underfunding of higher education. No responsible government can ignore the link between well-funded universities and national development. As the saying goes, “If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.” Poor remuneration leads to mediocrity, which hinders progress.
In Nigeria, the monthly salary of a professor does not exceed 750,000 naira, which is about $500. This amount is far below what is needed for a comfortable middle-class life, especially with current inflation rates. A December 2021 report confirmed that Nigerian academics earn less than their peers across the continent, an embarrassing reality.
The Minister of Education recently claimed to have prevented a planned strike, but he did not address the root issue. The stability in public universities is more like a graveyard, where teachers are exhausted from previous strikes and remain disillusioned. Many cannot afford transportation to work after paying school fees, facing daily financial hardships.
Young people with academic talents are increasingly avoiding academia. Once, university teachers were respected for their knowledge and basic comforts. Now, they face a system that fails to support them. The education minister should focus on improving the quality of life for lecturers rather than celebrating unsustainable stability.
While writing this column from Japan, I observed how Japanese public universities have driven economic growth through research and innovation. These institutions are key players in R&D, producing patents and startups that fuel new industries. Their success is due to adequate funding and well-compensated educators.
Japanese university teachers earn about twice the national average, matching senior corporate managers. Engineers in prestigious industries often earn less than professors. This high status and compensation attract the best minds, fostering an environment of innovation.
Professor Toyin Falola emphasized the importance of an “idle class” – individuals whose primary role is the creation and cultivation of ideas. This concept is crucial in understanding the value of university lecturers and researchers. Their work may not yield immediate results, but it lays the foundation for future advancements.
Historically, societies that invested in intellectual surplus saw significant progress. Ancient Greece, medieval Islamic caliphates, and Renaissance Europe all recognized the need to support thinkers and scientists. Today, Nigeria must do the same by adequately funding its universities.
Paying scholars well and ensuring accountability acknowledges the long-term value of their work. Nigeria’s future depends on sustaining this “idle class,” whose efforts today shape tomorrow’s innovations.
For President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave a lasting legacy, he must prioritize rebuilding the public university system. This includes paying lecturers a livable wage, investing in their dignity, and resourcing institutions to become engines of progress. Anything less would be a betrayal of the country’s future.
