There is a limit to social activism by serving public servants whether in the ivory tower or in the civil service. They must, therefore, exercise discretion and good judgment in their public conduct. We plead with the ABSUManagement to recall the Professor. This would go a long way in dousing the current tension in the university.
By Emeka Nwosu
In the last couple of days, the social media space in Abia State has been abuzz with a cacophony of voices weighing in on the suspension of a university don, Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, by the Management of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) for conducts that were considered prejudicial to the interest of the University. The said Professor Nwaeze was accused of making some social media posts which projected the image of the University in wrong light. The actions of the Professor were said to have embarrassed the Management and brought the University into disrepute.
The authorities of ABSU, understandably, responded by suspending Professor Nwaeze, while setting up an investigative panel to unravel the circumstances surrounding the actions of the lecturer and the intended objectives. Until his suspension, Professor Nwaeze was of the Department of Economics in the University.
In a 4-paragraph press release that was made available to the public, the Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University, Chijioke Nwogu, announced the suspension and constitution of an investigative panel to look into the matter.
“The Management of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences.
“The suspension follows concerns arising from various social media posts attributed to Professor Nwaeze, which are inimical to the interests of the University and uncomplimentary to the Visitor of the University.
“Consequently, the Management has constituted an Investigative Panel to consider the matter.
“The suspension takes immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation by the Panel.”
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Some arguments have been advanced for and against the decision of the University Management in suspending Professor Nwaeze. Those who are against the suspension have argued that Professor Nwaeze acted within his right to free speech as guaranteed by the Constitution of the country. They contended that the social media posts that he made in which he reportedly castigated the person of Governor Alex Otti and his government were in exercise of his right to freedom of expression; and therefore did not breach any extant rules.
At the centre of the media posts by the suspended Professor was an allegation of poor emoluments and non-payment of salaries and allowances to some members of the academic staff of the University. Some of the affected staff are said to have been owed 10 to 44 months, meaning that the problem predated the Otti administration. The Professor reportedly stated that tricycle drivers even earn more than University Professors in ABSU, adding that the poor salaries the staff receive are based on an old ASUU-FG salary structure that was approved in 2009 rather than the current structure which took effect in January 2026.
The antagonists of the suspension argue that there was nothing wrong that Professor Nwaeze has done by voicing out his concerns and frustrations on the plight of the academic staff of the University. In this category are the leadership of ASUU who have defended the Professor and called for the lifting of the suspension. The Union which had earlier declared a strike over the poor working conditions of staff said they would not call off the industrial action until Professor Nwaeze was restored.
In a recent media interview, the Chairman of ABSU chapter of ASUU, Dr. Chidi Mbah condemned the suspension and called on the University Management to lift it.
“The suspension is a serious threat and we must resist it. As ASUU, we will not accept anything that undermines our freedom or the autonomy of the university”, he said.
Mbah, however, exonerated the Otti administration from the suspension of the lecturer, stating that the University Management acted solely on its own. It was against this background that ASUU was insisting on the lifting of the suspension before it could call off the ongoing strike action which preceded the imbroglio.
However, the protagonists of the suspension are of the firm opinion that the suspended Professor lacked discretion and acted without caution. For this school of thought, there are established communication channels and extant rules that govern communications in a structured environment like ABSU.
By going to the social media to ventilate anger against Otti and his administration, Professor Nwaeze is believed to have exceeded the bounds of reason and logic; a damning case of indiscretion which comes with consequences.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the Professor`s conduct has been widely condemned by a lot of people who have had to weigh in on the matter, with many even accusing him of being teleguided by the political opposition in Abia State. It is possible that the opposition may not have instigated Professor Nwaeze, but they have still taken advantage of the brewing crisis to launch indefensible attacks on Otti.
The suspended Professor may have been propelled by considerations for the welfare of his colleagues, but he erred by flagrantly breaching the established protocols for communications within the university. By taking to the social media, he showed himself as one lacking in tact and wisdom. Based on available facts, the University Management is justified in the action it has taken against Professor Nwaeze but can temper justice with mercy by recalling him and cautioning him to desist from such misconduct in the future.
It is important to note that the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Mbah, in the media interview disclosed that the government has come to terms with the Union on the lingering issues, promising to call off the strike after holding a Congress of the academic staff soonest. There is a limit to social activism by serving public servants whether in the ivory tower or in the civil service. They must, therefore, exercise discretion and good judgment in their public conduct.
We plead with the University Management to recall the Professor. This would go a long way in dousing the current tension in the university.
May Abia continue to prevail!
Emeka Nwosu, PhD, a public policy analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com
