Several lecturers at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, have made a passionate appeal to Governor Alex Otti to intervene in their ongoing salary crisis, as they have not received payments since June 2024.

Among the affected academic staff are Adu Chukwuemeka Thompson, Dr. Nwosu Nkemakolam Bright from the Industrial Chemistry Department, and Okpechi Chinemerem from the English Department, who were all employed in 2023.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, the lecturers revealed that approximately 200 of their colleagues are facing the same predicament. Despite the salary suspension, they continue to fulfill their teaching responsibilities and attend to students' academic needs without compensation.

"We were employed in 2023 but in June 2024 our salaries stopped even though we successfully participated in verification exercises and we were not given disengagement letters," Thompson explained.

The affected lecturers have sought resolution through various channels, approaching the university's Bursar who directed them to the Office of the Accountant General of Abia State. They have also engaged with Chidi Mba, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at ABSU, who confirmed he has been in discussions with relevant authorities regarding the matter.

"We have taken our matter to the Bursar, the office of the Accountant General of Abia State, and appealed to the Chairman of ASUU, but our salaries have not yet been restored even though we are still teaching in our departments," Thompson added.

Dr. Nwosu Nkemakolam Bright made a heartfelt appeal to Governor Otti, asking him to "remember them like his own children in this time of economic hardship," and noting the governor's supportive actions at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

When contacted about the situation, ASUU Chairman Mba described the affected lecturers as the "2023 employment set" and joined in appealing to the Abia State government to address the issue promptly.

The timing of this salary suspension is particularly challenging given the current economic climate in Nigeria, with many families already struggling with the rising cost of living and inflation.

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