₦airaland Forum

Nigerian Academics: the job, the passion, the disappointment

07/12/2023

I travelled home in 2012 after my PhD and one of my older cousins asked when I would become a Professor. I laughed and told him it would still take some years and I jokingly told him I was not keen on becoming a Professor. He became angry at my response and said I should get the Professor for them even if I don't want it. After I left him I began to wonder what is in that rank that some people want at all cost.

I can still remember the huge congratulatory messages I received after my friend and colleague shared on Facebook the news of my promotion to that rank. Sometimes I reflect on those messages and imagine how rich I would have been if those congratulatory messages could be transformed into cash. Here we are struggling and some of us can't even drive our cars any longer. The Nigerian Professor.

Becoming a Professor, the peak in academia is something most academics look forward to. The title still comes with some prestige and perceived false benefits attached to it by outsiders. I once read a post on Facebook that said professors are stingy. Poor professors, and the public want them to spend the money they don't have. I went to buy a seat cover for my car a few years ago and the seller said lecturers have money but refused to spend it. I asked how much he thinks a professor is earning and he said it can't be less than N700,000. I laughed very hard.

I have written a lot on the remuneration of academics in Nigerian public universities but many still don't believe the figures. Yeah! Too bad to be true as compared with their perception. I had a discussion with one of our PG students who is a lecturer in a state polytechnic about salary disparity in the Nigerian public sector yesterday and the salaries of university lecturers came into the discussion. I told him the figures and the smile on his face showed that he didn't believe it but couldn't say I was lying. So, I login to the university portal and showed him my payslip. The gross, the deduction, and the net. We met again today and he said till yesterday, he never believed that a Professor on step 4 was earning less than N600,000.

Again this is the salary of academics in any federal government university in Nigeria. The quoted value is for step 2 the rank:
~The Assistant Lecturer's net salary with all his allowances is N118,279 (105 USD).
~Lecturer II's net salary with all his allowances is N129,724 (115 USD).
~Lecturer I net salary with all his allowances is: N160,809 (142 USD)
~Senior Lecturer's net salary with all his allowances is: N222,229 (197 USD)
~Reader (Associate Professor) net salary with all his allowances is: N277,179 (245 USD)
~The professor's net salary with all his allowances is N332,833 (294 USD).

The University workers are perhaps the only federal government workers whose salary is yet to be reviewed since 2009, that is for 14 years despite inflation. Those who were already professors in 2009 are still receiving the same salary since then to date. Your comfort is key to your output.

Aside from the academic work, and the research and publication work that forms the bulk of your promotion criteria, you are loaded with administrative responsibilities without responsibility allowance. They call it 'community services'. You can be denied promotion if you don't have enough of the said "community services".

If you happen to travel outside the University for a conference and you are lucky to be funded, the travel allowance is as follows:
~Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for the professorial cadre is N16,000 per night.
~Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for Senior Lecturer cadre and below is N12,000 per night.
~The transportation allowance is N20 per km.

If a Professor is to travel 200 km for an assignment that lasts for a day, he will get a DTA of N32,000 for 2 nights for his hotel accommodation for 2 nights and feeding and N8,000 for transportation. That is a total of N40,000. Despite the fact that FG has approved a new DTA for public service in September 2022, the universities can't afford the new rate a year later. I applaud the patience of my colleagues, but the patient dogs are dying of hunger.

Meanwhile, education is said to be key to national development.

Dear prospective academics, I love academia. For me, it is not a job but a way of life. However, ask questions before you wish to join academia and become a Professor. The job as it is at the moment can't pay your bills for a decent life.

©Amoka




Credit: https://www.facebook.com/1732175225/posts/pfbid026Eeotqv3ZVHLqFho3MQVsAJGnnZjrjFeEn1fam18qPAvzTjAsNBMwYBjS9qNx5j2l/?app=fbl

Lvgirl:
So painful


When will you commite suicide

Werey!

On top wetin abeg?

And I even have other girls around. LOL.

advanceDNA:
Nigga is pathetic asf...

Very repulsive...

I know. The thing is I fell in love with her before I learnt game. And I couldn't change how I related with her.

advanceDNA:
Daddy's baby girl?? Nigga dont be pvssy man.
.....u made urself over-available to her....so there was nothing else she would get from dating you..
. oh!!! Wait...u were thinking she what of ur love and penís?? No naaaa...when u are an overly attentive and caring guy...u can never be sexually appealing to them......they will just use u as advice-machine, boredom location, free money, free food, and a free place to watch movies/charge phone when there's no light

Bur wait...dont tell us u also spent money on her?? If yes...baba..how much be total??

LOL... Calm down. She never jokingly asked for money or anything. Besides, I don't even have to give. My gestures towards her was on my own accord and reward for the things she do for me.

But you are right that I gave her too much attention though. I made it look like she was special even though no one is, actually.

Autobot05:
You should work on The bolded... work on being emotionally mature to continue the friendship on your own terms ... ( make it a once in a while thingy )
Now you also work on being the best version of yourself and become a better person in all ways including looks and finance.

She'll come back one day ... but be ready and yunno what to do

Check my siggy

No, it's not worth it.

GreatVocalist:
I also finally let go of someone I made a habit yesterday, so we're both in a similar situation. The difference is we were in a relationship -- a mildly toxic one.

I had "let her go" almost a billion times, but somehow I kept finding myself back with her. She'd say she loves me, but she was very passive, unlike me who was practically head over heels. Whenever I tried to talk about it, she'd give cold shoulders. Each time I walked away, foolish me would follow my heart, forget my head and get back into a relationship I wasn't happy in.

I decided to finally walk away 'cause I got so sick of complaining, she told me I nagged a lot so I had to pipe down. Made so many mistakes too, but I admitted and made the decision to change. However, that decision hinged on her willingness to change, but she didn't. She barely admitted her wrong actions.

Last night, I had it and I had to ghost her. I really hope I stand my ground, 'cause I took a different approach this time around.

Sorry I had to make this about me. Like you, I'm also hurting, and I had no intention to share this anywhere. Reading about your situation urged me.

I also need you to know that you're not alone, and lots of people have been where you are, even in worse situations (like mine). I've decided not to get involved with any lady emotionally for at least 5 years. . Ambitious, but not impossible, and I suggest you do the same bro.

The right one will come at the right time. Just focus on improving yourself to more advanced versions.

Good luck!

Thank you.
I really appreciate.

Tenrack:
bro this wasn't necessary.

Why do you think so? That's what I call her. And she calls me daddy too.

dirolad:
you don't become friends with whom you loved from the jump. You must have spent a lot of time and attention and your d!ck was never part of her life. I hope you are emotionally capable to move, always remind yourself why she was never useful and won't still be, with that, you will let her be.

You said a lot with this short comment. I should have immediately cut her off when she declined my advances. That's the huge mistake I made. I didn't. And we got closer by the day.

And I truly spent a lot of time and attention, even though she did same too. Somehow, I feel it's even a good thing we never got to be intimate because it might be worse to move on like this.

Your last line is what I don't understand.

Sonnobax15:

I was once in the op's shoe........But trust me, moving on ain't easy but las las you will thank your stars you did...

Like, the thought of disconnecting from the girl alone is so painful. This is someone I've made an habit. I've never gotten close to a girl like her before. I just didn't know why that girl didn't yield. She was too kind to tell me she didn't have any feelings for me.

ozone0801:
"She doesn't feel a thing for you" is a subtle way of saying she can't date with a broke dude like you. If your finances are looking bright or there's a prospect, the narrative would have changed.
Take heart, go and hustle, you will get the woman of your dreams the moment you become successful.

I'm broke today. She never even told me why we can't be together, and I never asked.

So, yesterday, 8th of May, 2023, I finally decided to let go of someone I've made an habit. It's been over six years I met her.

We've been very good friends and kind to each other in our ways. The thing is, I fell in love with her deeply, and she said she doesn't feel the same towards me. We talk for hours. The flow was too smooth. We understand each other to a great level. I still find it difficult to believe she didn't feel a thing for me.

I decided to kill my feelings for her and keep her as a friend. It didn't just work.

I recently knew she's now in a relationship with someone else. She told me.

And I can no longer remain friends with her.

So, I finally decided to let go of someone I've made an habit. I needed to.

I'm saying this here, maybe the pain will go out a little bit.


I feel so much pains. Farewell, girl. I'd miss you. Let me wish you well, from afar.

Do know that Daddy wish you well always, Daddy's baby girl.

We meet to part...

Ikennaford:
You are right, we really sorting it cos most of the accounts here is alternate,,,alot of fake people on here, I've only gotten 10 people here that look real a Lil bit

Help my life.

Here is my address:

bc1qtn8v7kgmg2jqyhlzydzpdjjwkt9qdeflanm526

Happy Birthday to Peter Obi, my dearest Big Bro:

I will never forget your kindness to my beloved parents. Thank you for the respect you showed them, for your many visits to Abba, where you gave to Daddy and Mummy the most precious gifts: your time and your attention.

Thank you for walking this still-unbearable journey of grief with my siblings and me.

I remember how you regaled Daddy and Mummy with your stories until we started joking about your obsession with the “GDP of Malaysia.” But your obsession spoke of hope: your hope for Nigeria, your belief in what Nigeria could be. A belief that has always been practical, grounded in numbers and in reality.

I remember when you came to support me as I was being honored by the United Nations Foundation in New York, and I teased you about the inexpensive hotel you were staying in, and you shrugged and said, “it’s just a place to sleep, why do I need to be in an expensive place?”

And then only days later, you once again exhibited your incredible generosity to the causes you believe in, and it reminded me of all the hospitals and schools and churches you have supported over the years, and often without fanfare. You have always been clear about what your priorities are, what matters to you, what you believe should matter, and that is deeply admirable.

I have always admired your humane pragmatism, how you are willing to talk to almost anyone if it will bring about a good outcome.
And how you believe in certain ideals without being an ideologue.
And how you see people as people, knowing that human value is not measured in material terms.
And how you are able to laugh at yourself, and laugh when I tease you about your ‘one shoe and one shirt.’
And how you have always been consistent in the core of who you are.

Thank you for your compassion and your circumspection. For your honesty and your humour. For your willingness to acknowledge flaws, yours and others’, knowing that nobody is perfect. For your fuss-free kindness and your humility that is never performative.

I am inspired by your intellectual curiosity, your eagerness to learn, your genuine love of education (which is why you sought out, and honored, Daddy all those years ago when you learned that he was Nigeria’s first professor of statistics.)

Sometimes it is the simplest of language that captures the most complex of things, and so I will end with simplicity: You are a good man. You are loved. You are appreciated.

May your eyes continue to light up when you talk about the lovely confident Margaret (Thank God she agreed for you!) and your lovely children, A and E.

May joy follow you and yours always.

Mummy called you her ‘first son,’ my siblings and I call you our 'big bro,' and I cannot wait to call you ‘My President.’

I cannot wait for February 25, 2023, when I, with personal pride in you and with hope for what Nigeria can become, will cast my vote for you and your running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Chukwu dube gi. God Keep you.

With love, Chimamanda.


Source: https://www.facebook.com/100044163112929/posts/pfbid0FSqpicybA4czzLweus9uVJ5to9xEATD3zLSnv97SVUbe1pDbEhXiGUbHHqC6QyQ1l/?app=fbl
.

As seen on Twitter, supporters of the Obi's candidacy are preparing to share foods tomorrow, 19th July, 2022 to mark the former Governor's birthday.

Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Seniorwriter:
Go on your LinkedIn Dashboard and post your performance and competence with a link to your Digital Presence Page you've created...I hope you know how to create a Digital Presence Page?

If you are reading this as a writer yet you do not earn up to @least $50 weekly then come under our mentorship and start to get steady income via your writing skills and competence for a token Mentorship Fee of just $20 ...Duration is 4weeks and you'll start earning from your second week max.

@Seniorwriter

I don't know what it is.

And, if you will be kind enough to show me the way through, once I start earning from the knowledge shared, I'll pay you $50. Do we have a deal?

Lizzbett:
Go to upwork, Fiverr and thank me later

I'm on these platforms but it's hard to bid for a job and get it there... Too much competition.

I'm a freelance writer who's in search of getting a writing gig. I'm writing for a firm in Nigeria now but that's not enough to sort out a lot of stuff I seriously need to.

Please, how do I get a writing job with a writing agency in Canada, US, UK, Australia or UAE. I believe earning in hard currency will be helpful.

If you have any useful information, please help a brother ��... Make SAPA no send me to village ��

I'm a freelance writer who's in search of getting a writing gig. I'm writing for a firm in Nigeria now but that's not enough to sort out a lot of stuff I seriously need to.

Please, how do I get a writing job with a writing agency in Canada, US, UK, Australia or UAE. I believe earning in hard currency will be helpful.

If you have any useful information, please help a brother ��... Make SAPA no send me to village ��

I write for a living at the moment.
If you have jobs for me, hit me up!

amechispeaks:
Hit me up if you want my experience to work for you 08033422206.

Your number isn't on WhatsApp

seun
Lalasticlala
Mynd44

I created this thread for a reason. The last time I created a topic like this when we were having power issues, it got rectified. Take this to front page please let the relevant authorities see it since they are claiming unaware. Because, I see no reason why this should persists. Thank you.

Tokskob2008:
As long as we keep voting in clueless leaders we shouldn't expect any good thing, imagine at this level we can boast of 5hrs uninterrupted power supply a day

I'm telling you.

Nbote:
Was it ever alive? Unlike before when U are even sure of the supply, these days power only belongs to God; and our generators. No one is even talking about it or the persistent fuel scarcity

It's sad!

The duration of availability of power these days is disheartening. In the place where I stay in Ilorin here, we do have at least 12hrs of power supply in 24hrs. For the past one week, we barely get 3hrs. I depend on electricity to do a lot of stuff. This is painful. What's happening in this country na?

seun

lalasticlala

mynd44

Please, help give this a wider view

freiburger

r231

Please help with a wider view

I'll make it simple and short.

Due to the ASUU strike, I want to enroll for a course at an IT institute which will cost me N30,000. It's a 12 Weeks program and I seriously want to take the opportunity of this time at my disposal.

My major setback now is funding. So, I'm looking at funding options. I cannot take loan from banks or loan apps because they aren't giving a favourable repayment plan.

I'm a freelance writer, and I can't raise that amount in a month because I have to eat and sort out my bills.
So, I'm looking for an institution or wherever I can get funding and repay within three months.

Please, any idea? Help my life people. Thank you in advance.

arthurwillia:
Love your write up, just ghost and return in next 6 months by then your head will be clear and you’ll just pursue friendship with her!!

Thank you.