A senior academic at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr. Philips Nto, has cut ties with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), accusing the group’s local leadership of favoritism and misuse of power.
Nto, who also serves as Director of the university’s Agribusiness Incubation Centre, claimed the union no longer represents the collective interest of its members.
“It has been hijacked by self-centred individuals,” he said, likening its operations to that of a “cult group.”
The former Abia State Commissioner for Finance alleged that he was deliberately underpaid during the recent Earned Academic Allowance distribution, receiving ₦267,992 while others got between ₦800,000 and ₦1 million.
He also accused the union of opposing his promotion to professor through a petition.
According to him, these incidents highlight a pattern of exclusion and lack of transparency. He noted that despite his financial contributions over the years, including a ₦250,000 loan to the union in 2013, he has gained nothing from his membership.
He has now requested the university to stop all ASUU-related deductions from his salary.
The union’s chapter chairman could not be reached for comment at the time of reporting.
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