The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decried what it termed the “unjust and inadequate” pension package for retired university lecturers across the country, describing it as a national disgrace.
Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Thursday, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the plight of retired lecturers worsened following the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2024. According to him, the scheme has left many retired academics impoverished after decades of service to Nigeria’s university system.
“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,” Piwuna said.
He lamented that professors who had devoted over 40 years to teaching and research were now retiring to a monthly pension as low as ₦150,000, which he described as “grossly inadequate in today’s harsh economic realities.”
“Many of our retired colleagues are battling chronic health conditions while still supporting spouses, children, and even grandchildren with this paltry amount. This is unacceptable and amounts to treating them with disdain after years of sacrifice,” the ASUU leader added.
Piwuna revealed that the union had consistently advocated for the establishment of a university-based pension fund administration, which, he argued, would better cater to the unique needs of academic staff and guarantee dignity for retirees.
He urged the Federal Government to urgently review the current pension structure and introduce what he called a living pension—one that reflects the cost of living and honours the contribution of academics to nation-building.
“Failure to address this injustice will continue to demoralise those in active service and discourage the younger generation from committing their lives to academia,” he warned.
ASUU’s renewed call adds to mounting pressure on the Federal Government to reform the pension system, which has drawn criticism from various labour unions for failing to protect workers in retirement.
