Abia State University (ABSU) employees held a peaceful protest on Tuesday, demanding the state government to pay their salaries, which have been outstanding for over 11 months.
This demonstration is the latest in a series of protests by the workers, who are seeking to pressure the government to address this ongoing issue.
The protesting workers brandished placards bearing messages such as “ABSU workers still await 11 months’ salary arrears” and vowed to embark on a strike if Governor Alex Otti’s administration fails to settle their outstanding salaries immediately, emphasising their determination to receive the long-overdue payments.
One of the leaders of the protesters said, “After today, we will declare to your tent all Abia State University workers; that is what we have decided. If there is nothing you can tell us about receiving our salaries latest by this evening, it is going to be bye-bye to this university.”
In June, the university workers also protested the prolonged nonpayment of their salary arrears, decrying the extreme hardship and hunger they’ve endured amidst Nigeria’s soaring cost of living.
With their patience worn thin, the workers collectively expressed their anguish, highlighting the suffering of their families and their inability to continue working under such dire conditions.
They urgently appealed to Governor Otti to alleviate their plight and address their longstanding grievances.
