By our Reporter
Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has escalated disciplinary proceedings against Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze, weeks after lifting his suspension over social media posts criticising the welfare and remuneration of lecturers at the institution.
Nwaeze, a professor in the Department of Economics, is now scheduled to appear before the university’s Governing Council Staff Disciplinary Committee on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The development comes about six weeks after the university suspended Nwaeze following his public criticism of alleged poor working conditions, unpaid salaries and promotion arrears affecting academic staff.
It also comes shortly after Abia State Governor Alex Otti publicly apologised over the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike at the institution, acknowledging that the lecturers’ demands were legitimate and that his administration had approved interventions that were not properly implemented.
Documents obtained shows that while Nwaeze’s suspension was subsequently lifted following pressure from the university’s ASUU branch, the disciplinary process against him continued and was expanded to include an allegation of “Duty Abscondment”.
An internal memo dated September 10, 2026, signed by Uka U. Uka, Deputy Registrar and Secretary of the Panel on Duty Abscondment, invited Nwaeze to appear before an investigative panel.
The memo was titled “Invitation To A Discussion” and informed the professor that the panel was investigating allegations of “Duty Abscondment and Social Media Commentaries against the interest of the University”.
The meeting was scheduled for September 16 at the Board Room of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
The memo was copied to the Chairman of the panel and the Head of the Department of Economics.
A second memo dated September 30, 2026, signed by the Acting Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) J.C. Nwankwo, indicates that the matter has now progressed to the university’s Governing Council Staff Disciplinary Committee.
“You are invited to appear before the Governing Council Staff Disciplinary Committee meeting scheduled as follows,” the memo stated.
The committee is scheduled to meet at 10:30am on Friday ,Oct 2 and the Vice Chancellor’s conference room.
The memo was copied to the Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the university.
It was learnt that the disciplinary proceedings could lead to Nwaeze’s dismissal, alleging that the university was targeting him because of his outspoken criticism of the treatment of academic staff.
Supporters of the professor have rejected the allegation of duty abscondment, insisting that he completed his semester teaching responsibilities, submitted students’ results and supervised project students as required.
They described the continued proceedings as an attempt to punish Nwaeze for publicly raising concerns over lecturers’ welfare, particularly after the governor himself acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances that triggered the strike.
