Lecturers Paid Peanuts, Retire into Penury – CONUA

 

Dr. Niyi Sumonu, the National President of the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), has raised concerns about the poor remuneration of lecturers, which he believes is the reason why many academics retire into penury. To address this issue, he has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently increase the pay of public universities' lecturers, especially in light of the recent removal of fuel subsidy that has further exacerbated the hardship faced by educators.

Dr. Sumonu emphasized that such an increase in pay would not only be a fair compensation for the academics' contributions to nation-building through teaching, research, and community services, but it would also help alleviate the financial challenges faced by many lecturers after retirement.

During a symposium titled "The Life of an Academic" and the foundation laying of the CONUA secretariat at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Dr. Sumonu expressed concern that since 2009, the government has failed to consider increasing the take-home pay of Nigerian public universities' academics, despite the impact of progressive inflation and economic hardships. As a consequence, many lecturers are forced to retire into a life of financial hardship.

One of the proposals put forward by CONUA is to allow retirees to draw a minimum of 25% of their contributory pension outside the mortgage or housing fund before retirement. This measure is intended to help academics plan better for their future and ease the transition into retirement.

The event at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, also saw a keynote lecture delivered by Professor Mojisola Oyarekua, who encouraged students to consider becoming academics, as the profession brings a sense of fulfillment. Professor Oyarekua praised the Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Abayomi Fasina, for his remarkable achievements, which have made the university an attractive choice for many aspiring students.

Present at the event were dignitaries including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Tajudeen Opoola, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, and CONUA's National Secretary, Dr. Henry Oripeloye.

The call to address the issue of poor lecturer remuneration and support academics in their retirement reflects the importance of valuing and recognizing the contributions of educators to the development of the nation's knowledge and future generations.