Chancellor seeks academic staff salary adjustment in line with inflation
Chancellor seeks academic staff salary adjustment in line with inflation
Prof. James Ayatse, Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), has called on the Federal Government to adjust the salaries of academic staff in Nigeria in line with prevailing inflationary trends.
Ayatse made the appeal on Friday in Benin during the 51st Convocation Ceremony of the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 14,083 graduates received degrees and diploma for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The chancellor, who is also the Tor Tiv V of Tiv nation, Benue, said such adjustment would prevent industrial disputes in Nigeria’s education sector.
“The remuneration of academic staff must reflect current economic realities.
“Linking salaries to inflation will help prevent avoidable industrial disputes and ensure stability in our academic calendar,” he said.
Ayatse also urged the government to clear outstanding salary arrears and increase revitalisation funding across Nigeria’s public universities.
“Our universities cannot thrive without adequate financial support. Funding is the backbone of quality research, teaching, and innovation,” the Tor Tiv said.
He expressed concern over nation’s insecurity challenges, advocating investment in indigenous aerospace technology as a strategic response to banditry and to restore safer travel across the country.
A secure nation, he said, “must be technologically prepared to confront emerging security threats.”
The paramount traditional ruler, however, commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Education for ramping up support to tertiary institutions.
He cited ongoing hostel renovations, new designation of the university as the South-South Centre of Excellence in Sports, the rollout of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and the Federal Executive Council’s approval and funding of a new Senate Building for the university.
In his remarks, Prof Shaibu Umaru, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, praised the Federal Government for reviving long-delayed projects, including the Senate Building conceptualised nearly 40 years ago.
Umaru urged parents and students to key into the national student loan scheme, noting that global best practice showed that credit-backed education expands access and drives national productivity.
Delivering his first convocation address, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Edoba Omoregie outlined progress recorded under his five-point agenda, which focused on academic excellence, infrastructure renewal, welfare, and sustainability.
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Omoregie, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced that 198 of the graduates earned first class honours, while 4,217 bagged Second Class Upper.
According to him, 7,988 graduated with Second Class Lower and 570, Third Class.
“This convocation is not merely a ceremony; it is the culmination of hard work, sacrifice, and the unyielding spirit of our students.
“Their success gives meaning to our continuous quest for excellence,” he said.
The vice-chancellor highlighted major infrastructure upgrades supported largely by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
These, he said, included a N5 billion Senate Building, N4 billion high-impact medical training projects and a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory.
He also noted the receipts of N1 billion Agricultural Commercial Farm Fund, N400 million aquaculture and food technology fund and N1.3 billion library renovation fund, among others.
Omoregie added that more than 5,000 trees had also been planted to enhance environmental sustainability across the campuses.
“We are committed to building a university that matches global standards. Every project we pursue is anchored on this vision,” he said.
He commended the graduating class for resilience and charged them to deploy their skills and knowledge in driving national development.
