ASUU decries poor retirement package for varsity lecturers
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has expressed deep concern over what it described as an inadequate pension package for its retired members
The National President of the union, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, raised the issue at a news conference in Jos on Thursday.
Piwuna lamented that the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2024 had worsened the welfare conditions of retired lecturers.
“Our retired colleagues continue to bear the brunt of the government’s unpopular policies, manifesting in galloping inflation and the rising cost of electricity, transportation, housing, food, and medication, among others.
We are not pleased with a situation where those who dedicated over four decades to sustaining our universities are treated with such disdain.
“A senior academic who served for more than 40 years should not retire to a meagre N150,000 monthly pension in today’s harsh economic realities. Many of our retired colleagues are battling chronic health conditions, supporting their spouses, children, and grandchildren on this paltry amount,” he said.
The ASUU president said the union has consistently advocated for a university-based pension fund administration to address such anomalies.
He urged the Federal Government to act urgently and reverse the declining welfare of retired lecturers by reviewing the current pension structure, implementing a living pension, and creating policies that respect the dignity of academic service.
“Failure to address this injustice will continue to demoralise those in active service and discourage the younger generation from committing their lives to academia,” Piwuna warned.
