An investigation has shown that Nigerian university professors are among the worst paid in Africa, earning an average of just \$366 (about N500,000) per month. This is far below what their colleagues take home in other countries, including those with smaller economies.
According to salary data of professors with less than 10 years on the rank, while a Nigerian professor earns about \$4,400 yearly, a South African professor makes \$57,471 — more than 13 times higher. Uganda follows with \$50,595, then Kenya with \$48,000. Even smaller nations like Eswatini (\$41,389), Lesotho (\$32,455), and Gabon (\$29,907) pay far more than Africa’s biggest economy.
Shockingly, Sierra Leone (\$18,000), Zambia (\$14,949), Comoros (\$12,960), and even Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe also rank above Nigeria.
The poor pay has left lecturers disheartened and pushed many into other jobs. Some now prefer working with government agencies or abroad. One professor recalled turning down his university salary because it was too low to qualify for an international fellowship. “As a professor, I earn less than €350 monthly in Nigeria. The fellowship offered €1,200. I simply opted out of my Nigerian salary,” he said.
Another lecturer narrated how a colleague on sabbatical at the EFCC earned close to a million naira, only to return to a university salary of N250,000. “He was shocked that even diploma holders in agencies earn more than professors,” he said.
The University of Ibadan reportedly lost three professors to a federal agency, where salaries run into millions, with free accommodation and hefty allowances. In comparison, their pay at the university was less than N400,000. For many, passion for teaching no longer sustains them. A lecturer told how his friend left academics to earn N800,000 monthly but later returned out of passion, only to collect N180,000. “Now he has given up and is leaving again,” he said sadly.
This situation has exacerbated brain drain, leaving behind what some call “political academics” — individuals with little to offer but who engage in politics to survive within the system.
“Before, we used to stay because of the children of the country. We told ourselves, ‘If we all leave, who will teach them?’ But today, many are saying, ‘Why should I suffer and still not afford to send my own children to good schools or hospitals?’” another professor lamented.
Under the official salary structure, graduate assistants earn about N125,000 monthly, while professors earn between N525,000 and N633,000 before deductions. After tax and pension, many go home with about N300,000.
Former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, also lamented that poor pay has destroyed morale. “As Vice-Chancellor, I earned N900,000. Today, as a professor, I collected N700,000. My son saw my payslip and called it a joke. Do you know some lecturers now sleep in their offices?” he said.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Piwuna, blamed government neglect. He said lecturers’ salaries have remained stagnant since 2009, while politicians keep awarding themselves increases. “Our morale is down, and when morale is low, output will surely drop,” he warned.
Experts are now urging urgent action. UNILAG’s Prof. Tunde Adeoye warned that unless salaries are reviewed quickly, another nationwide strike is looming. “Professors in Nigeria earn around N500,000 before deductions, and about N300,000 after. Many cannot pay rent. The government must act before it is too late,” he said.
