Abia State University, Uturu, has provisionally lifted the suspension of a lecturer in its Department of Economics, Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze, following a written plea by the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The decision was communicated in a letter dated September 3, 2026, and signed by the Acting Registrar, Dr Joy Nwankwo.
In the letter titled “Lifting of Suspension,” the university said Nwaeze’s suspension was lifted with immediate effect, but stressed that the decision did not terminate the investigation into the matter.
“Following a written plea from ASUU-ABSU, the University Management hereby lifts your suspension effective immediately,” the letter stated.
The university added that the decision was “without prejudice to the extant investigative panel” and that the panel’s final report was still being awaited.
The development follows months of tension between Nwaeze, the university management and the ABSU chapter of ASUU.
Nwaeze had earlier raised concerns about working conditions at the institution in a post on his Facebook page, including issues relating to low salaries and unpaid salaries and allowances.
The university subsequently suspended him indefinitely and constituted an investigative panel to examine the matter.
His suspension became a major issue for ASUU-ABSU, which embarked on industrial action and listed his recall among its conditions for ending the strike.
The dispute also drew the attention of the Abia State Government, although the government distanced itself from the suspension, describing it as an internal matter of the university.
Governor Alex Otti later met some of the union’s demands as efforts continued to resolve the broader disagreement between the government and university lecturers.
Confirming the lifting of the suspension on Saturday, ASUU-ABSU chairman, Prof Chidi Mba, said the union would continue to handle the matter through administrative channels.
“Yes, the University has lifted the suspension. However, I cannot comment on the content. We are handling it administratively,” Mba said.
Although the latest decision allows Nwaeze to return, the university’s letter makes clear that the matter has not been fully resolved.
The investigative panel remains in place, meaning its report could still influence the university’s final position on the lecturer.
The development is nevertheless expected to ease some of the tension surrounding the dispute, particularly as Nwaeze’s recall had become a prominent demand in the disagreement between ASUU-ABSU and the university management.
For now, the lecturer’s suspension has been lifted, while attention shifts to the outcome of the pending investigation.
