…. Says ‘My Professor Friend Begged Me To Help Him With SA Job’
The working circumstances of university teachers have been a source of grievance for the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi,
The former governor of Anambra revealed that his buddy, a professor at a university who had taught him for nearly 14 years, had pleaded with him to speak on his behalf so that, should he win, he would be named a Special Adviser to a candidate running for the House of Representatives.
He proposed that the professor’s strange request was motivated by the idea that he would make more money as a SA than as a professor.
He said it was really bad that a professor, having reached the pinnacle of his academic career, only makes 10% of what he did fourteen years ago because of inflation.
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Speaking via his X handle, Obi insisted that the educational sector requires a committed workforce since the sector is critical to nation building.
Obi wrote, “While in Nsukka, I met one of those brilliant fellows I knew while I was a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in the 80s.
“The fellow graduated with a first class and became a lecturer in the institution. When I later visited the University as the then Governor of Anambra State, he proudly announced to me that he was already a professor and I rejoiced with him.
“I met him again in Nsukka on Wednesday, but our exchange of pleasantries resulted in very pathetic tales about his general welfare. I noticed in his look and mien that all his happiness of being a professor had vanished.
“He broke my heart when he requested that I put in words for him so that Hon Dennis Agbo can appoint him as Special Adviser when he wins.
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“The reason for the bizarre request that shocked me was that he would earn more and receive more perks as an SA than as a Professor. Touched by this and applying my finance background I decided to do some comparative analysis.
“By January 31, 2010, the salary of a Nigerian University Professor was about N400,000. With the then prevalent exchange rate of N150.10 per dollar, the salary amounted to about $2665.
“Fourteen years later, on January 31, 2024, the salary of a University Professor remains about N400,000. With the prevailing exchange rate of N1,510 per dollar, the same salary now amounts to about $265.
“So after putting in 14 years of hard work, having attained the zenith of his academic career, a Nigerian University Professor now earns 10% of what he earned 14 years ago – this is only possible in Nigeria.”
