ABSU Workers Protest Over 13 Months Of Unpaid Salaries, Gov. Otti Commits To Payment

Abia State University (ABSU) staff protest over previous administration 13 months of unpaid salaries, prompting Governor Alex Otti to assure them of imminent payment.

Workers at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, have taken to the streets to protest the backlog of unpaid salaries spanning 13 months. This protest comes after prolonged financial struggles due to the previous administration’s failure to address the issue. The demonstrators, comprising both academic and non-academic staff, expressed their frustrations, demanding immediate payment of their overdue wages.

The current administration, led by Governor Alex Otti, has responded to the protests with a commitment to resolve the salary arrears. Addressing the situation, Governor Otti assured the university staff that all outstanding payments would be cleared, acknowledging the financial strain and hardships the delay has caused.

In a statement, Governor Otti emphasized his administration’s dedication to prioritizing the welfare of public servants, including educators. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to streamline the state’s finances and address inherited liabilities. The Governor’s promise comes amid a broader strategy to improve the state’s financial health and ensure timely payment of salaries moving forward.

The protest at ABSU follows a pattern of unrest among state workers, as recent months have seen similar demonstrations from other sectors, including healthcare workers at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) who also protested over unpaid salaries​ owed by previous administrations​.

Governor Otti’s administration is under pressure to not only clear the accumulated salary backlogs inherited from previous administrations, but also to implement systems that prevent future delays. The state government has communicate in clear terms stating that all backlogs will be paid in batched.