Professor Pat Utomi, a respected economist and political commentator, has expressed deep concern over the poor remuneration of Nigerian university lecturers, warning that rising electricity costs are consuming their meagre salaries.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, aired on Channels Television, Utomi painted a grim picture of the financial realities facing academics in the country.
“The Nigerian government pays university professors no more than ₦500,000 a month,” he said.
“Yet, many spend up to ₦80,000 a week just to keep the lights on.”
He argued that this situation leaves little to nothing for food, transportation, or children’s education.
“If a whole professor has to choose between electricity and feeding his family, what kind of society are we building?” Utomi questioned.
He criticised the government’s economic strategy, saying it lacks empathy and fails to prioritise human development.
Utomi also pointed out that the current inflation rate, though lower than before, does not reflect an improvement in living standards for most Nigerians.
“Going from 30% to 20% inflation might look like progress on paper, but for the average citizen, it means nothing if salaries remain stagnant and costs continue to rise,” he said.
He called on the government to adopt people-centred policies and urgently review public sector wages, particularly in the education sector.
“Our best minds are being impoverished. If we do not address this urgently, the future of Nigeria is at stake,” he warned.
