The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has restated its commitment to helping build the nation through quality teaching, research, and service to society.
Speaking on Thursday during the 2025 ASUU Day celebration held at the Governor Peter Mbah Auditorium, ESUT main campus, Agbani, the Acting Chairperson, Comrade Andrew Apeh, encouraged members to remain committed to excellence and to continue fighting for their rights.
“As lecturers, we must keep giving our best so we can inspire our students and contribute to national development,” he said.
Apeh called for unity among members and renewed effort in the struggle for better working conditions.
“Our welfare is a basic right, and we must demand it without politics,” he added.
He reminded members of Nelson Mandela’s famous quote: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.”
Apeh urged them not to give up.
He expressed concern that ESUT lecturers are paid far less than lecturers in other state and federal universities.
“It is painful to see others earning double our salary for almost a year now while we struggle to survive because our current salary no longer matches today’s cost of living,” he said.
Apeh demanded that the 25% and 35% salary increases be implemented, along with a general salary review based on national standards. He also called for payment of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), which has been pending since 2008.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of ASUU at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Comrade Zubairu Abdulmumini Loko, praised the union’s strength, saying it has remained “unbroken, unbent, and unbowed for decades.”
Loko spoke about the difficult situation Nigerian lecturers face.
“We teach like philosophers but are paid like apprentices. We carry out research that helps nations grow, yet we work with outdated facilities,” he said.
He explained that true academic empowerment means:
- Salaries that can sustain lecturers
- Research grants that support real research
- Standard infrastructure
- University independence without political influence
“No country ignores its academics and still expects progress,” he said. “If lecturers are empowered today, Nigeria will develop faster.”
On health, he reminded members to take care of themselves, saying:
“You cannot lead a struggle with blood pressure higher than school fees. Taking care of yourself is not weakness—it is strategy.”
He encouraged ESUT lecturers to remain united, guide younger academics, strengthen the union, protect their wellbeing, and continue speaking out against injustice.
“If the system refuses to listen, we will speak louder,” he concluded.
