The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decried the “poor and inadequate” pension benefits available to retired lecturers in Nigeria.
ASUU National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, raised the concern at a news conference in Jos on Thursday, noting that the Contributory Pension Scheme introduced in 2024 has worsened the welfare of retired academics.
“Our retired colleagues continue to bear the brunt of the government’s unpopular policies, with rising inflation and soaring costs of electricity, transportation, housing, food and healthcare,” Piwuna said.
He described as unacceptable the situation where senior academics, after over four decades of service, earn as little as ₦150,000 monthly as pension.
“Many of our retired colleagues are battling chronic health conditions and supporting their spouses, children and even grandchildren with this paltry sum. Such treatment of those who sustained the university system is unfair and demoralising,” he added.
ASUU reiterated its call for a university-based pension fund administration to address the anomalies and urged the Federal Government to act urgently to improve the welfare of retired lecturers.
