The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has rejected the suspension of Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze of the Department of Economics, Abia State University (ABSU) by the university management over a Facebook post in which he raised concerns about staff welfare, unpaid entitlements, poor remuneration and the general condition of academic staff in the institution.
The suspension, announced by the management of Abia State University on Thursday, 13th August 2026, followed a social media post in which Professor Nwaeze stated, among other issues, that tricycle operators popularly known as Keke riders, earned more than professors in ABSU. He also highlighted several welfare-related matters affecting lecturers and other staff members of the university.
The Forum made its position on the matter known in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr. Stephen Nwala and
Secretary-General, Dr. Uzor Ngoladi.
FOSAD said it viewed the action of ABSU management against the professor as a clear case of victimisation, intimidation and an infringement on the fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting, “Academic freedom remains one of the pillars upon which universities are founded, and no scholar should be punished for raising legitimate concerns about the welfare of university staff and the future of public higher education.
“A university is not a military barracks or a political institution where dissenting opinions are suppressed. A citadel of learning such as ABSU ought to be a bastion of intellectual freedom where academics can freely interrogate policies, cross-fertilize ideas and contribute to public discourse for the betterment of society. Silencing scholars through suspension sends a dangerous signal to the academic community and undermines the culture of critical inquiry that universities are meant to nurture.”
FOSAD said rather than suspend an erudite scholar who courageously drew public attention to pressing welfare issues, it expected the ABSU management to engage constructively with the matters raised by Professor Nwaeze.
“His post raised serious allegations regarding lecturers’ salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, unimplemented salary structures, outstanding deductions and poor staff welfare. These are substantive issues that deserve urgent investigation and remedial action, not punitive measures against the messenger,” the statement said.
FOSAD expressed concern that the professor’s suspension may create a chilling effect on other academics who may wish to speak on matters affecting the university system, noting, “Institutions of higher learning thrive when scholars can speak truthfully without fear of persecution.”
The Forum, therefore, called on the management and Governing Council of Abia State University to immediately reverse the suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze and restore him to his duties without any form of discrimination.
The statement added, “FOSAD also calls on the Visitor to Abia State University and Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, to urgently intervene in this matter. Governor Otti has earned commendation in many quarters for his developmental efforts, and allowing this suspension to stand may unnecessarily tarnish his image as the Best Performing Governor in the South-East geopolitical zone.
“Furthermore, we urge the Abia State Government to address the welfare concerns raised by ASUU-ABSU members and initiate meaningful dialogue with the union to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute in the interest of students, staff and the future of education in the state.
“FOSAD stands in solidarity with Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze and all academics who continue to defend truth, justice, academic freedom and institutional integrity.”
