An Emeritus Professor from Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene in the “hostile pension scheme” affecting retired professors, describing the current monthly take-home as unjust and unsustainable.
In an open letter addressed to the governor, Emeritus Professor Martins Agenuma Anetekhai, a former Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture, lamented the dire financial condition faced by retired academics, including himself, whose pension reportedly stands at a meagre ₦213,678.34, less than $150 per month at current exchange rates.
Professor Anetekhai, who served in the Nigerian university system for over 40 years, warned that the inadequate remuneration risks discouraging dedication to service among current academics nearing retirement.
He described the situation as a national concern that calls for immediate review and reform of the existing pension structure for university professors.
“The current pension scheme is not only unfair but also unsustainable,” he wrote. “It may lead to a lack of dedication to service by those who are yet to retire.”
He urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to use his platform and influence to champion the welfare of retired professors by advocating pension reforms at the national level.
Among the specific appeals, Professor Anetekhai asked the governor to: raise public awareness about the plight of retired professors; engage stakeholders such as the National Assembly and Federal Ministry of Education and support initiatives aimed at improving the dignity and welfare of retired academics.
The professor concluded by noting that his appeal was not personal, but a broader call to protect the integrity and sustainability of Nigeria’s education system.