The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Chapter, Comrade Andrew Apeh, has called on the institution’s management to expedite action on the implementation of the new minimum wage for staff of the university.

Comrade Apeh, who made the call during an interview with ESUT Monitor, appealed to the management of to ensure the immediate implementation of the newly approved minimum wage for the staff.

Speaking during an engagement, the union leader stated that ASUU has continued to make constructive and disciplined efforts to ensure that staff welfare remains a priority. “We have been engaging the university management to see reasons why ESUT workers should be brought up to the wage level enjoyed by their counterparts in other institutions. The new minimum wage is a benchmark already being implemented in other universities and ESUT should not be left behind,” he sated

 He stressed that the union will persist in its dialogue-driven approach to ensure that the rights and welfare of staff are fully protected and promoted.

Comrade Apeh explained that while other universities have commenced implementation, ESUT workers are still waiting, adding that the union’s position remains consistent engagement.

He reassured ASUU members that the union leaders will continue to push for fairness, equity, and improved working conditions until the new wage structure is fully activated in the institution.

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By Nwobodo Chidinma

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ESUT Branch,  Dr. Andrew Apeh, has described the recently held ASUU Day as a significant milestone in promoting staff welfare, health awareness, and academic motivation within the union.

 Dr Apeh who spoke with ESUT Monitor in his office, said the occasion was centred on welfare, health care, and recognition of members’ contributions to the growth of the union, the university and humanity. He noted that one of the major achievements of the day was the payment of entitlements to retirees, who received ₦400,000 each in cheque as part of the union’s commitment to supporting its members.

The Communication Scholar attributed the increasing cases of “unexpected deaths” among lecturers, to poor health management adding that the ASUU Day in ESUT was designed to address members’ concerns. Thus medical practitioners from various fields were invited to conduct free health checks, including eye screening, distribution of medicated glasses, prostate examinations, sugar level tests, and other medical assessments.

According to him, “this health outreach served as an eye opener for lecturers to take their health more seriously. The union would not only talk about health issues but also take practical steps to support its members.”

The event also featured celebration of newly promoted professors for the 2023–2024 academic session, as well as recognition from previous years. A resource person from the National Presidency, Prof. Nonny Charles, was present to educate and interact with members.

He expressed appreciation to ASUU members for their strong support and active participation in the event. He also used the opportunity to appeal to the government to review lecturers’ salaries and align them with national standards, expressing hope that meaningful progress would be made before January.

“We appreciate our governor, Dr Peter Mbah for his disruptive leadership in Enugu State. We also wish that he can look into our salary for immediate review. A situation where a Professor is earning less than N500, 000 in our society with crunch economic challenges coupled with the Naira depreciating every day, impacts severely on our members. When lecturers are well taken care of, students ultimately benefit, as improved welfare enhances teaching, productivity, and academic excellence, ” he said.

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Agbani – The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called on the management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to as a matter of urgency, address the lingering issue of years of unpaid staff earned academic allowance.

The Acting Chairperson of ASUU, ESUT, Dr Andrew Apeh made the call in an exclusives interview with ESUT Monitor in his office during the week.

Dr. Apeh highlighted the earned academic allowance (EAA) as one of the major challenges facing lecturers in ESUT. He explained that between 2008 and 2014, EAA was calculated to be about ₦4.4 billion adding that from 2014 till date, nothing has been done to address or implement the payment.

He described ESUT Lecturers as being “very dedicated to their work, yet many of their services are rendered like Father Christmas services, free and without proper compensation or remuneration.

“Earned Academic Allowance is meant to be extra payment given to lecturers who take on extra workload beyond the normal requirement. For example, a lecturer may be assigned to teach a class of 50 students. However, when the number exceeds that limit, it becomes additional academic workload, and the lecturer is supposed to be paid extra for it. We have lecturers who also take up Postgraduate students and they deserve to be paid for the extra services they are providing,” he said

“Despite this, ESUT has not taken any step regarding payment of EAA — neither discussing it nor making efforts to mainstream the payment. Meanwhile, some states such as Nasarawa, Benue, and Gombe are already paying their lecturers, and many others are working toward achieving it.” He added

Dr. Apeh stressed that the payment of EAA should be taken seriously by the ESUT management as it would help motivate lecturers and further boost their morale, especially since ESUT lecturers are already doing their very best to ensure quality academic delivery.

Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) is a payment for extra work done by Nigerian university staff (lecturers, technologists, non-academics) beyond their basic salaries, covering things like supervision, research, and administrative duties, formalized in agreements between unions (like ASUU) and the government, but its distribution often causes major disputes due to insufficient funds and lopsided sharing formulas. It’s part of long-standing demands for better welfare and university funding, often released in tranches that lead to union disagreements over allocation.

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By Ani Ruth, Ezesinachi Chikezie and Azubuike Kosisochukwu

Enugu – The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) celebrated “ASUU Day 2025” on Thursday, 27 November at the Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Auditorium with a renewed call for members welfare

Acting Chairperson of the Academic Staff ASUU-ESUT Branch, Comrade Andrew Apeh reaffirmed the union’s commitment to building a better nation through quality teaching, research and community service.

Apeh who made this known while speaking on Thursday at the 2025 ASUU Day celebration held at Governor Peter Mbah Auditorium, ESUT main campus, Agbani, stated, “As academic staff, we must continue to strive for excellence, inspiring our students and contributing to the growth of our nation.”

The Union Leader said, “As a union, we must remain united and focused on our welfare purposes. Our welfare is our fundamental rights, and it’s time we demand it be addressed without politicization!
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Quoting Late South Africa President, Nelson Mandela who said, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail”, Apeh charged his members to rise for their rights.

“Our spirit of unionism must be re-energized for good. No one can offer what they don’t have. We must be the change we seek. Let us unite and demand better welfare, better working conditions and a better future for ourselves and families!
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According to him, the theme of the 2025 ASUU Day entitled: “Empowering Academics and Enhancing Wellness”, is apt and timely, pointing out, “Our welfare is not a privilege, it’s a right!

“We deserve a salary review aligned with the national benchmark, and the 25% and 35% wage award increments implemented in other state and federal universities.

“He lamented, “As of today, it pains greatly to see our counterparts in other state and federal universities receiving double of our salary for almost a year now. And even waiting for a better review in few days to come, and here in ESUT, we are battling with survival because of our paltry salary which no longer meets the reality of the economic situation of our moment.

“It is time we caught up! Our Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) is another pressing issue. Since 2008, it’s been pending and we can’t wait any longer. We urge our government and ESUT Management to address this as an urgent call, special plights and mainstream our EAA.

Also speaking, Comrade Zubairu Abdulmumini Loko, Chairperson ASUU Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), noted that the uncompromising spirit of solidarity has been the spirit that has kept ASUU alive, unbroken, unbent, and unbowed for decades in this country.

“Academics in Nigeria live between intellectual excellence and national frustration. We teach like philosophers but are paid like apprentices. We produce research that transforms nations, yet struggle with facilities that belong in museums.

On empowering Academics, he said, “The Struggle Continues. Empowerment is not a slogan – it is a struggle. It is what ASUU has defended for over forty years, often at great personal cost.
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According to him, “Empowerment means: Salaries that can survive the month, not disappear like a missed call. Research grants that can actually fund research, not only printing of proposals Infrastructure that respects our academic dignity. Autonomy that protects our universities from political interference and administrative overreach.
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“Let me repeat: No nation jokes with its academics and expects serious development. If Nigerian academics are empowered today, Nigeria will be transformed tomorrow. But if academics remain overworked, undervalued, overstressed, and underpaid, then we are simply fueling a crisis while hoping for a miracle.”

Speaking on enhancement of wellness, Loko noted that even lions rest, stressing, “Wellness is not weakness; it is strategy.
Comrades, you cannot lead a revolution with blood pressure higher than school fees. You cannot fight for autonomy when your backbone is begging for physiotherapy. You cannot supervise students effectively when your eyesight is battling with stress-induced blur.
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Loko, therefore, charged his colleagues at ESUT to remain united, because disunity is the weapon of oppressors.
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“Mentor younger academics, because the struggle is generational Strengthen our branches, because strong branches build a powerful union. Guard our wellness, because a weak academic cannot defend a strong cause. Speak boldly, because silence is complicity. If we do these, the system will hear us — and if the system refuses to hear, we shall speak louder.”
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Earlier, Comrade Ofukwu Raphael Agbo, National Resource Person, chastised Nigeria university professors for being docile in the face of oppression and social injustice.
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Agbo who categorized professors into three, noted that many of them cannot speak to power because of politicization and fear of unknown.
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He noted, “ASUU remains the last moral firewall protecting Nigerian universities from total collapse. Someone must speak truth to power, even when power pretends to be deaf.”
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Some of the activities held at the event were medical check up, health speeches and panel discussion followed by question and answer session.
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The high points of the event were the recognition and reward of retired and deceased members as well as celebration of newly promoted ASUU Professors. There were also recognition of Ex-ASUU Leaders and former ASUU-ESUT leaders. Nineteen Professors were promoted in 2023 while 15 were promoted in 2024, respectively.

The ASUU, ESUT branch also took a significant step in fulfilling its commitment to its members by paying out membership retirement and death benefits.

During the event, ASUU ESUT presented a cheque of ₦400,000 each to its retired members and the families of deceased members, bringing relief to those who have dedicated their lives to the institution.

The gesture underscored the union’s dedication to the welfare of its members, ensuring that their hard work and service are recognized and rewarded. The payment is part of the union’s membership welfare package, aimed at supporting members in their time of need

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…We Are Not Afraid of ‘No Work, No Pay’ – UNIJOS

By Emmanuel Chiekezie

The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) ESUT Branch in Monday declared a total shutdown of academic activities in ESUT as the union begin two-week warning strike.

The decision to shut-down academic activities in ESUT was reached during the ESUT Branch emergency congress held at the ESUT College of Medicine Enugu on Monday.

In declaring their total support to the national body on two-week warning strike for better condition of service and improved staff welfare, the Branch also lamented arrears of unpaid earned academic allowances by the state government totalling N4.4 billion. 

According to the acting chairperson of the branch, comrade Andrew Apeh, the Federal Government’s lack of compliance with the renegotiation agreement is a cause for serious worry and reason for the industrial action!

“As a branch of ASUU, we have only one charter. ESUT or Enugu State does not have a salary skill of its own; it is the salary skill approved by the National University Commission (NUC) that is guiding us, that is what controls our salary. And also know that this issue of salary increment is what concerns all of us.

“Our case is even more terrible because we have carried out a survey and we noticed that here in ESUT, we receive the least salary compared to other state universities. We went to Ebonyi State University (EBSU) they pay Earned Academic Allowance. Nothing like that for us here since 2008. We calculated since 2008-2014, and we discovered that our state government is owing us up to 4.4 billion.

“But now, the issue that brought us here is national obligation and we have to show solidarity,” he said

The acting Chairperson warned that all academic programmes will be suspended during the strike adding that a special monitoring team has been setup to enforce compliance.

“During this strike period, all academic activities will be suspended in line with the national directive starting from today, Monday, 13 October, 2025.

“A special monitoring team has been set up to enforce this order and ensure total compliance from members. No academic activities are expected to take place in the institution until further notice,” he told ESUT Monitor shortly after the emergency meeting on Monday in Enugu.

This declaration follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government, which has not been met, prompting the union’s industrial action.

Any member found violating this order will have him or herself to be blamed he said.

Meanwhile. lecturers at the University of Jos, Plateau State, have complied with the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday.

The union’s national secretariat had given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to meet its demands, which include improved funding, better working conditions, and payment of earned allowances, among others.

A visit to the Bauchi Road campus on Monday, showed that most of the lecturers at the UniJos stayed away from the institution, leaving many students who came for lectures stranded in their classrooms.

Chairman of the ASUU branch at UNIJOS, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, confirmed that the lecturers were fully complying with the warning strike.

“We are complying one hundred percent with the warning strike at UNIJOS,” Prof. Molwus told Punch

 “The Federal Government has been threatening us with ‘no work no pay,’ but we are not going to back down; we are not afraid. We will continue to comply until our demands are met by the government.”

Prof. Molwus expressed the union’s determination to push for its demands, despite the threat of sanctions.

He said the lecturers are united in their resolve to seek better working conditions and improved funding for the nation’s universities.

The situation, as it was learned, was the same at the Plateau State University in Bokkos, as confirmed by the ASUU branch chairman, Dr. Monday Hassan.

“It is expected to continue for the next two weeks unless the Federal Government meets the union’s demands.”

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As the two-week nationwide strike declared by the national body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) starts this Monday, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) branch of the union will today hold an emergency mandatory congress for its members.

The congress which will hold at the ESUT College of Medicine Auditorium, Enugu is expected to start by 2pm with all members of the union directed to be in attendance.

According a circular issued by the Acting Chairperson of the ASUU ESUT Branch, Dr Andrew Apeh, while stating that attendance is mandatory to all members, said the agenda of the congress will be “Beyond the 14-Day Rubicon: Defining the Next Steps.

“All members are expected to attend this emergency congress as the 14-Day ultimatum elapses! Your presence is mandatory!”

 It could be recalled that the leadership of ASUU on Sunday directed all its branches across the nation to commence a two-week comprehensive warning strike beginning from Monday, October 13.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced this at a press briefing at the headquarters of the union in University of Abuja.

Piwuna said the decision to begin total warning strike became imperative after the government failed to do the needful regarding its demands.

“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025.”

 “Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025.

“The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,” Piwuna said.

ASUU ESUT Branch emergency Congress today is expected reach a resolution on whether the branch will join the strike or not.

ESUT Monitor will keep you updated on the outcome of the congress.

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By Chiekezie Emmanuel

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) ESUT chapter has expressed its displeasure over the ugly treatment meted out to the union by the Federal Government. On Tuesday, after a meeting held at Prof. Julius Onah Auditorium, ESUT, the academic staff rallied on the road and asked the Federal Government for quick intervention and fully implement the 2009 agreement it reached with the union.

According to the Acting ASSU Chairman, ESUT chapter, Dr. Andrew Apeh, the agreement they had with the Federal Government since 2009 has not been implemented, and there has been no effort from the government to address their concerns. He described as hypocritical for the government to offer loans when they have not paid their salaries and other entitlements.

“We are not asking for loans; we are asking for our rights. If you have money to give us loans, why not pay us our salaries and other entitlements that are due to us?” he queried.

 He added that the Federal Government has a habit of bringing loans to distract the union whenever they plan to hold conferences.

The ASSU Chairman highlighted several issues that the union is demanding the government to address, including the proliferation of universities, funding of existing universities, and payment of three months’ salary arrears. He stated that the government has not been able to fund existing universities and yet continues to create new ones.

The rally, according to Dr. Apeh, was to show support and solidarity with their members across the country and to shout out to anyone who cares to know what they need and help them reach out to authorities.

Also speaking, a member of the union, Prof. Mmaduabum Nneka emphasized that the protest was about their welfare. She stated that the lecturers are not well-treated, and the agreement they have with the governments since 2009 have not been implemented.

“We just gathered here to make our feelings known to the government,” she said. She recalled that the last time they planned to go on strike, the government and parents appealed to them to go back to the classroom while they negotiated, and they did not go on strike because they considered the pleas of their parents and children. However, the government has not done what they promised, which is why they are there to remind them.

It Could be recalled that the National leadership of ASUU had directed their branch unions to immediately shut down their respective institutions following the federal government’s failure to meet their demands.

The university lecturers premised their resolutions to put the tertiary institutions under lock and key again after two years of a similar scenario happening over the failed implementation of the renegotiated agreement, payment of withheld salaries, improved funding of the nation’s institutions, among others.

Armed with placards during a nationwide protest across the country on Tuesday, the university teachers also announced total rejection of the recently introduced Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund loan scheme, arguing that what academics and researchers need is their legitimate earnings and grants, not loans.

Some of the states where the academics demonstrated include Maiduguri, Kano, Jos, Lagos, Uyo, Enugu, among others

Below is video of the protest

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By Chiekezie Emmanuel

The Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ESUT chapter, Dr. Andrew Apeh has applauded the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his supports to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

Dr. Apeh who is a lecturer in the department if Mass Communication, ESUT reckoned that Gov Mbah’s two visits to the university during her 20^th Convocation ceremony last month is a testament of how dear ESUT is to him and his government.

  “Today, we have graduates from BSc, Masters, and Ph.D programmes who are products of the university. I thank His Excellency, who came here on two occasions in a week; you can see what makes ESUT unique, especially the award of ₦50 million to the most innovative Lecturer (Prof Mgbachi) who produced an electric stove that can be used to charge phones as well.

“The Professor was given a grant by His Excellency, and an Austrian Ph.D recipient, Dr. Bernd Bergmair gave him ₦52 million, while ESUT Alumni donated ₦1 million, these gestures are huge.

“His Excellency has helped ESUT to ensure full accreditation of all departments in, and now ESUT’s Vice-Chancellor stated that about 98% of departments in ESUT have been fully accredited. The support Governor Mbah is giving to ESUT is commendable and I urge him to sustain it because ESUT remains the beckon of hope for South East and Nigeria’s education.

“He has been so supportive to the university that today, ESUT boasts as one of the few universities with the best facilities. ESUT now has additional departments  and faculties such as, Radiography, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and all these were achieved by the help of His Excellency, according to the Vice Chancellor ,” Dr. Apeh said

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Dr Dr. Andrew Chiahalam Apeh of the Department of Mass Communication on Wednesday emerged the new Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU ESUT Branch.

Dr Apeh was, in the bye elections conducted at the Senate Building ESUT, returned elected as the sole candidate who declared interest for the position.

The position of Vice Chairman of the union became vacant following the resignation of Dr Chukwu Peter who was earlier elected into the role

In the bye election, Dr Apeh was elected unopposed after several Professors who had declared interest withdrew from the race.

Similarly, Prof Leo Chukwu was also elected new Treasurer of the union, unopposed.

The two new Executive Council members of ASUU-ESUT were immediately sworn-in.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Apeh promised to work “tirelessly” for the transformation of the union.

“Your massive vote of confidence is a testament to your belief in my ability to lead and serve our ASUU-ESUT union. I am deeply humbled and honored to emerge as your chosen vice chairman.

“I pledge to work tirelessly towards a transformative ASUU ESUT, prioritizing quality staff welfare and a conducive work atmosphere for all members.

“I appreciate the contributions of everyone who ensured a transparent and successful election process.

“Special thanks also to my contenders who demonstrated exceptional trust in me by stepping down, allowing me to emerge unopposed. Your selflessness and commitment to our union’s progress are truly commendable.

“As your vice chairman, I assure you of my dedication to teamwork, inclusiveness, and listening governance. Together with my fellow excos, I am committed to negotiating, dialoguing, and collaborating until we meet the basic needs of at least 99% of our members,” Dr Apeh did.

It could be recalled that Dr Apeh in the build-up to the election, resigned from his position as Assistant Secretary to vie for the Vice Chairmanship.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Ahead of the Thursday, August 29 election, no fewer than two erudite professors and a Ph.D holder have been cleared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ESUT Chapter electoral committee, to contest for the chairmanship position of the union in the university..

This is contained in a circular made available to ESUT Monitor.

This paper further understands that the election slated to commence by 9am will hold in two venues, Boardroom, ESUT College of Medicine, Enugu and the university’s main campus in Agbani at Senate Chambers.  

The two professors vying to replace the outgoing chairman, Prof Chinedu Aguba are: Professors Eneje Lawrence and Nnamani Emeka as well as Dr Mgbenkemdi Ejikeh. The trio are among the 12 candidates cleared by the electoral committee to vie for the nine available positions in the union.

It was gathered that apart from the chairmanship and Assistant Secretary positions, the remaining offices each has sole candidates.

In the position of Assistant Secretary, Dr Andrew Apeh of Mass Communication Department will square up against Dr Okonkwo Peter.

Other candidates cleared to contest as sole candidates are: Dr Chukwu Peter, Vice Chairman: Dr Ugwuanyi Dele Maxwell, Secretary: Dr Okechukwu Godwin, Treasuer: Dr Aniaku Vincent, Financial Secretary; Dr Nneji Samuel, Internal Auditor; Dr Maduagwu Nneka, Welfare Officer as well as Dr Asogwa Solomon, Investment Officer.

According to the guidelines released by the ASUU ESUT Electoral Committee headed by Prof Barrister Walter Obi Ezeodili, election will hold simultaneously in two centres in Enugu and Agbani. Accreditation and voting will commence from 9am and end by 12noon.

Voting by proxy will not be allowed while members are asked to wear their office identity.

Already, the ASUU Nsukka Zonal Executive Council members are in Enugu in preparatory for the election. The Members on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the ESUT management where the Vice-Chancellor assured them of the management’s support; before, during and after the election.

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