The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has called on the Federal Government, State Governments, proprietors of private universities and other tertiary institutions to urgently review the salaries of lecturers upward to not less than N500,000 monthly, in view of the harsh economic realities, persistent hyperinflation and the rapidly declining purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
FOSAD notes with deep concern that lecturers in both public and private institutions have continued to bear the brunt of the current economic crisis despite their critical role in teaching, research, innovation and national development.
The present salary structure for many academics can no longer guarantee a decent standard of living, FOSAD said in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr Stephen Nwala and Secretary General,
Dr Uzor Ngoladi.
The Forum also aligned itself with the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the organised labour movement in demanding a significant upward review of workers’ wages across the country.
“The call for improved remuneration is not only justified but necessary for social stability and sustainable development,” FOSAD said.
“Over the past three years, the purchasing power of workers has been severely eroded. Prices of food items, clothing, housing, transportation, healthcare, electricity, and other essential goods and services have risen astronomically. Many lecturers now spend a substantial proportion of their earnings on feeding alone, while rent, school fees for their children, and medical expenses have become increasingly unaffordable,” it added.
FOSAD observed that the current economic situation has pushed many academics into financial distress, forcing some to seek multiple jobs to survive, noting, “This trend poses a serious threat to the quality of teaching, research productivity, mentorship and the overall integrity of the nation’s higher education system.”
“The Forum therefore insists that a minimum salary benchmark of N500,000 for lecturers should be adopted across public and private tertiary institutions as an immediate relief measure, while a comprehensive salary review mechanism tied to inflation and cost-of-living indices should also be institutionalised.
“FOSAD further urges the Federal Government to engage sincerely with organised labour and other stakeholders in order to arrive at a realistic and sustainable wage structure that reflects prevailing economic conditions. Employers in the private education sector should equally recognise that quality education cannot be achieved when academic staff are poorly remunerated.
“Nigeria cannot build a competitive knowledge economy while neglecting those who produce knowledge. Investment in lecturers is an investment in national development, human capital formation, innovation, and economic growth.”
The Forum urged policymakers to treat this matter with urgency and patriotism, stressing that continued neglect of workers’ welfare may deepen poverty, increase brain drain, and further weaken the education sector.
“FOSAD remains committed to advocating policies that promote the welfare of academics, improve the quality of education, and advance sustainable development in Nigeria,” the Forum assured.
www.fosads.org
