KEY POINTS
- Nigerian professors struggle with low pay and debt.
- Many survive on loans to meet daily needs.
- Low pay discourages younger Nigerians from academia.
Professors in Nigeria are voicing frustration over poor pay, saying stagnant salaries have left them in crippling debt and eroded the appeal of academic careers.
In an interview, senior lecturers described how years of government neglect and weak investment in education have trapped them in a cycle of loans, financial strain, and declining morale.
Nigerian professors struggle with low pay
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has repeatedly accused the government of sidelining academics while granting generous raises to politicians. ASUU president Emmanuel Piwuna warned that stagnant pay is draining universities of talent and damaging the quality of teaching.
Professors in Nigeria earn an average of about $366 a month, ranking among the lowest on the continent. By comparison, South African professors earn $57,471 a year, while peers in Uganda and Kenya earn $50,595 and $48,000 respectively. Even Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Comoros countries with far smaller economies pay higher.
Professors say survival now depends on loans
Several professors admitted relying on loans to cover school fees, fuel costs, and basic living expenses. Some compete with students for bus seats, while others squat in staff quarters due to unaffordable housing.
Prof. Adebowale Adejumo of the University of Ilorin said he had been forced into multiple debts, despite working for decades. “If I drive to work daily, I spend at least N10,000 on fuel. What is left for food?” he asked.
Another professor in Enugu said his entire salary was exhausted almost immediately on arrival. “Once this meagre salary comes in, we distribute it within minutes and we are back to square one,” he said.
Low pay pushes young Nigerians away from academia
The sharp pay disparity has made younger Nigerians wary of pursuing academic careers. Professors warn that without urgent action, universities risk losing the next generation of scholars.
“Even my own children say they would never become lecturers,” said one professor with over a decade in service. “This is dangerous for the future of education.”
Inflation and heavy taxation have further reduced earnings, while retired professors say their pensions hardly cover basic costs. Some senior academics now take side jobs, while others sleep in their offices to save money.
