The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) claims that about 84 members have reportedly died as a result of economic hardship and unpaid salaries. The incidents are said to have occurred between May and August 2024.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s sociopolitical programme ‘Inside Source’ with Laolu Akande.

He said, “In the past three months, from May to August 2024, Nigerian universities lost 84 academics to death because of what our people are going through.”

Osodeke raised concerns over the government’s failure to pay salaries while implementing policies such as fuel and electricity price hikes amid ongoing financial struggles.

He bemoaned the Federal Government’s “no-work, no-pay” policy, which affects salaries during strikes, stating that, people are struggling to survive, and holding back salaries worsens the situation.

Osodeke called for increased funding for university education, and emphasized the need to adequately compensate lecturers to ensure the smooth operation of the educational sector.

According to Osodeke, after 15 years as a professor, he only earns N420,000 per month, highlighting the lack of global competitiveness among Nigerian lecturers without sufficient support.