UTURU, Nigeria — The management of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) has lifted the immediate suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze following widespread public commentary and union intervention.
The economics lecturer was suspended in August after publishing a social media post asserting that commercial tricycle operators earn higher monthly incomes than university professors.
According to reporting by Premium Times, the university announced the decision through an official letter dated September 3, 2026, signed by Acting Registrar Joy Nwankwo.
"Following a written plea from ASUU-ABSU, the university management hereby lifts your suspension effective immediately," Nwankwo stated in the official letter.
The institution clarified that the reinstatement was granted without prejudice to an ongoing investigative panel probing allegations of misconduct against the academic.
The controversy began when Professor Nwaeze posted on Facebook during an industrial action organised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He revealed that professors at ABSU earn below ₦400,000 monthly due to the continued use of an outdated 2009 salary structure, whereas some local tricycle riders generate over ₦450,000 per month.
Nwaeze acknowledged the recall as a "momentary victory" but expressed skepticism regarding the open-ended investigation.
"While it has become difficult and unfashionable to continue with the ill-fated and provocative suspension, they have merely retreated but haven't surrendered to good conscience and justice," Nwaeze stated on social media.
Nwaeze alleged that the suspension was politically engineered to silence criticism and suggested the recall served as a tactical move to prevent ASUU-ABSU from resuming strike actions.
"They offered this Greek gift in order to buy time and continue to shop for non-existent offences," Nwaeze added, while maintaining that his public commentaries on governance remained civil and respectful.
With the suspension rescinded, Professor Nwaeze is set to resume his academic responsibilities while the university administration awaits the formal report from its investigative panel.
