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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The Acting Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) branch, Dr Andrew Apeh has outlined major achievements, ongoing challenges, and renewed appeals for improved welfare and salary adjustments since assuming office in March 2025.

The ASUU leader, who stepped into the role after the substantive chairman fell ill, recalled receiving a call from the national body mandating him to take responsibility for steering the union’s activities at ESUT. “Since then, I’ve been on the job, and it has just been very well,” he said.

Dr Apeh who spoke in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor in his office during the week,  said one of his earliest tasks was leading the branch delegation to the National Delegates’ Conference (NDC) in Benin, where the current national leadership of ASUU, headed by Professor Chris Piwuna, was elected.

Upon returning, the union faced immediate challenges, beginning with the health of the substantive chairman. The acting chairman noted that the ESUT ASUU executive took full responsibility in ensuring the ailing chairman received quality medical care across several hospitals.

Another major issue the branch confronted was the consequential adjustment controversy. Although both teaching and non-teaching staff began receiving the 2020-approved adjustment in June 2023, the academic staff stopped receiving theirs by July of the same year. This continued until June 2025 when, after engaging the management, the payments were restored.

He attributed the progress to the Vice Chancellor’s understanding of ASUU’s welfare demands, describing the VC, himself a former ASUU leader at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, as someone who “has made things easy” for the union.

However, he emphasized that the union still faces “a major challenge” concerning the implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increments, which many federal and state universities have adopted. The branch, he said, has yet to benefit from the reviewed salary structure.

“It pains when you know that other academic staff elsewhere are receiving double your salary, and you render the same job,” he lamented, noting that research which is crucial for academic promotion is costly and difficult to fund without proper remuneration.

The chairman also highlighted the successful hosting of the 2025 ASUU Day on 27 November, describing it as “one of its kind.” The event focused on staff welfare, including honouring retirees, supporting families of deceased members, and hosting extensive medical outreach programmes. Lecturers underwent free eye examinations, prostate screenings, diabetes tests, and many received free medicated eyeglasses.

The event attracted dignitaries from across ASUU zones, including chairpersons from Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), Benue State University, (BSU), and Kogi State University (KSU) as well as national resource persons and zonal leaders.

The acting chairman expressed deep appreciation to ESUT ASUU members for their support and participation, noting that the branch remains active and fully represented at the national level.

He concluded with a hopeful appeal to the state government “We know our governor has a listening ear. By God’s grace, we hope to celebrate before January. We are calling upon him to come to our aid, help the education sector, help our university, and help our lecturers so we can continue delivering quality education.”

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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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Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ESUT Branch have expressed deep sadness and shock over the death of Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka.

Dr Onyeka, a staff of the Accountancy Department in ESUT, died on Monday, May 26, 2025 after a brief illness at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

In separate condolence messages signed by , the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Uche Ugwuanyi and the Acting Chairperson, ASUU-ESUT, Dr Andrew Apeh, respectively, they mourned the departure of Dr Onyeka and also paid glowing tributes to her selfless and dedicated services to the university and humanity.

In his sympathy messages, Prof Ugwuanyi said the faculty would miss her passion and dedication to work.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear colleague, Dr. Mrs. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka, Associate Professor of Accountancy Department and active member of our Faculty Welfare Committee. Her dedication, passion, and contributions to our faculty will be deeply missed.
“May her gentle soul rest in peace,” he said.

On his part, Dr Apeh who described her death as a “profound sadness”, extended the union’s condolences to the family and asked God to grant her soul heavenly repose. He extolled her commitment and contributions to the Union stressing that her passing created a vacuum.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of our dear colleague, Associate Prof. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka of the Department of Accountancy. On behalf of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ESUT branch, I extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.

“We pray that the Almighty God grants her gentle soul eternal rest in heaven. May the family find solace and strength during this difficult time. We enjoin all ASUU members to continue praying for her soul to find rest and for the family to bear this great loss with fortitude.

“Prof. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was a dedicated academic staff and a valued member of ASUU ESUT, known for her hard work and commitment. Her contributions to the union and the university will be deeply missed,” Dr Apeh said.

It could be recalled that Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was recently promoted to the rank of Reader (Associate Professor) in the university before her death this week.

Late Onyeka died following a major surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

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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

In a twist of events ahead of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ESUT Branch bye election slated to hold today, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Dr Andrew Apeh has resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of the branch.

Dr Apeh of Mass Communication Department in a lengthy letter made available to ESUT Monitor, said his resignation is anchored on the need for him to pursue a higher position.

He noted that after careful consultations with family members and stakeholders, he has taken the decision to relinquish his Assistant Secretary position and aspire for the vacant Vice-chairman role.

“It is with a profound sense of duty and respect that I write to inform the esteemed members of the ASUU-ESUTof my decision to formally resign from my position as the Assistant Secretary of the Branch.

“After careful consideration and extensive consultations with my family and colleagues, I have come to the realization that there is a higher calling that aligns with my aspirations within the union.

“The vacancy in the position of Vice Chairmanship has presented itself as an opportunity for me to serve in a capacity that resonates with my ambitions and interests.

“I have realized that the initial misconception regarding the eligibility criteria for contesting the Vice Chairmanship position was based on a misinterpretation of the ASUU bye-laws. Contrary to my earlier understanding, one does not necessarily need to have served as an executive member first to vie for the Vice Chairmanship role. This clarification has encouraged me to step down from my current role as Assistant Secretary and pursue the Vice Chairmanship position.

“I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all members of ASUU-ESUT for the overwhelming support and trust you have bestowed upon me during the recent election. Your unwavering backing has been a source of strength and inspiration for me, and I humbly implore your continued understanding in my decision to run for the Vice Chairmanship post.”

It could be recalled that Dr Andrew Apeh polled a total of 103 votes to better Dr Peter Okonkwo who got 59 votes in the election conducted on August 29, 2024.

Interestingly, Dr Apeh will be contesting the ASUU-ESUT Vice Chairmanship position as a sole candidate after several Professors who had indicated interest withdrew from the race.

The ASUU-ESUT will today conduct bye elections to fill the vacant positions of Vice Chairman and Treasurer in the branch

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By Amaechi Agbo, Agbani

Professor Emeka Nnamani has emerged new Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ESUT Branch.

Prof Nnamani was elected new Chairman following the successful conduct of the chapter’s election on Thursday held at the Senate Building, ESUT, as well as at ESUT College of Medicine, Enugu.

Although three candidates had earlier been cleared by the electoral committee for the position, Prof Nnamani was elected unopposed following the withdrawal of Dr Mgbenkemdi Ejike on Wednesday as well as that of Prof Eneje Lawrence few hours before voting commenced yesterday.

Prof Nnamani replaces Prof Chinedu Aguba as new ASUU-ESUT Chairman.

In the position of Assistant Secretary, hugely contested by two Senior Lecturers, Dr Andrew Apeh of Department of Mass Communication and Dr Okonkwo Peter, Dr Apeh was declared winner after amassing a total 103 votes against Dr Okonkwo’s 59.

Dr Apeh Polled 57 votes in ESUCOM as well as 46 votes in Agbani to be returned as the Assistant Secretary of the union.

Other positions were also returned unopposed including Secretary, Financial Secretary, Welfare Officer, Investment Secretary as well as Internal Auditor.

The position of Treasurer is vacant following the disqualification of Dr Okechukwu Godwin who was the sole candidate. His disqualification was anchored on his retirement date.

Also vacant is the position of Vice Chairman. This was as a result of withdrawal from the race by Dr Chukwu Peter who was the sole candidate for the position.

The newly elected executive council which was sworn-in shortly after the election, will conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant positions

The election was monitored by the Nsukka Zone of the union led by the Zonal Chairman, Comrade Raphael Amokaha

Speaking after the election, the Zonal Chairman lauded the conduct and outcome of the election adding that it fulfilled the requirements of the national guidelines

He charged the new Council to ensure the sustained progress of the union and be relevant at national level.

The newly constitued ASUU-ESUT Executive Council are:

1. Prof. Emeka Nnamani – Chairman
2. Dr. Dele Maxwell Ugwuanyi – Secretary
3. Dr. Andrew C. Apeh – Assistant Secretary
4. Dr. Vincent Aniaku – Financial Secretary
5. Dr. Samuel Nneji – Internal Auditor
6. Prof. Nneka Mmaduagwu – Welfare Officer
7. Dr. Asogwa Solomon Chinago – Investment Secretary

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