A senior lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Dr. Philips Nto, has resigned from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), alleging a lack of transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness in the union’s operations.
Dr. Nto, who also serves as Director of the university’s Agribusiness Incubation Centre, described the institution’s ASUU chapter as “hijacked by self-centred individuals running it like a cult group.”
In his resignation letter to the chapter’s leadership, copied to the union’s branch chairman, Prof. Chike Ugwuene, and made available to journalists in Umuahia, he accused the leadership of using the platform to victimise perceived opponents and obstruct the career progression of some members.
Citing a personal example, the former Abia State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning alleged that the chapter petitioned against his promotion to professor, reflecting “deep internal contradictions” within the union.
He further claimed that during the recent disbursement of Earned Academic Allowances, while many colleagues received between N800,000 and N1 million, he was paid only N267,992 without explanation, despite a formal protest letter.
“The lack of transparency in the disbursement of funds and the impunity with which some members are treated like outcasts have left me with no option but to exit the union,” he wrote, adding that he had received no tangible benefit from ASUU despite significant financial contributions, including an unrepaid N250,000 loan from 2013. He requested that the university stop deducting ASUU dues from his salary.
While Prof. Ugwuene could not be reached for comment, a union member who spoke anonymously claimed Dr. Nto had only recently returned from a secondment to Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, where he enjoyed improved remuneration, and that his promotion to professor, approved by the university, was rejected by the union via a petition.
(Agency Report)
