It is no news neither is it a fallacy that lecturers in public universities in Nigeria are poorly paid. All attempts to make government see the importance and urgency of improving the conditions of service which had not been reviewed since 2009 (14years ago) have proved unsuccessful. Dialogues, appeals, reasoning and all methods deployed by the Academic Union of Universities (ASUU) seemed to be non effective on the Nigerian government. Of course, the failure of government to listen to the plight of public university workers has led to the incessant strike actions which have constantly disrupted academic sessions in recent years.

It is indeed so heart breaking that despite all the agitations to bring government to see reasons, the latter, having in its grip the big whip decided to withhold the poor and meager salaries of university workers for eight months and half not caring about the welfare, the well being and survival of these workers and their dependents. Withholding the salaries of lecturers have been linked to poor access to healthcare by lecturers and their households which has increased the prevalence of death among lecturers in the last twelve months. Commendation services organized for dead lecturers have now become a reccuring decimal across public universities in Nigeria, a clear indication that lecturers are dying in their numbers due to poor access to healthcare occasioned by withheld salaries and poor remuneration.

Closely linked to this is the potential increase in depression and other psychosomatic disorders among lecturers due to feeling of abandonment, detachment and oppression. A lot of lecturers, are now dealing with homelessness, increase in school dropout by children and wards of lecturers while they are compelled to teach other people’s children for meager wages. Who does that? The Nigerian government appears to be treating lecturers as inanimate beings rather than as rational humans who can be negatively affected by harsh and frustrating policies.

Well, the purpose of this article is to bring to light the effects of the gross negligence and insensitive inhumane actions of the Nigerian government on the public universities. According to studies, the effects of poor remuneration on university lecturers in Nigeria can be very significant and far-reaching to the educational system of the country and the future of our dear country. Here are some likely effects:

Firstly, poor renumeration and seizure of salaries have caused various degrees of Brain Drain. Low salaries and poor compensation packages have driven very talented and experienced Nigerian lecturers to seek better opportunities abroad. There is a mass exodus of Nigerian lecturers to other countries where education and educationists are better appreciated. The difference between the renumeration is like the difference between light and darkness. This brain drain is already depriving Nigerian universities of skilled educators, leading to a decline in the quality of education. I must confess that majority of those left are either processing their papers to leave or are just marking time. I dare to say that our Government is killing the patriotism in us as educators.

A second effect of poor renumeration and insensitivity to the conditions of service of educationists is *Demotivation and Low Morale* When lecturers are not adequately compensated for their work, it can lead to demotivation and low morale. This, in turn, can affect their passion for teaching, research, and overall commitment to their profession. It may result in reduced productivity and a lack of innovation within the academic environment. I must confess that this is already playing out in most Universities in Nigeria. Reflect on this! What would motivate a lecturer who can hardly feed his/ her family, who cannot afford to pay the school fees of his wards in good schools, who cannot afford fuel or repair his/her broken down rickety car but would have to walk for 30 minutes under the sun to go to class, or get on a public bus to get to work? That is what most of us are faced with as lecturers in public universities in Nigeria.

Again, whether we like it or not, poor renumeration will affect and as a matter of fact already is affecting the Quality of Education. Insufficient remuneration can impact the quality of education offered by universities. Lecturers may have limited resources to conduct research, update their knowledge, and implement innovative teaching methods. This can hinder the development of students and limit their exposure to up-to-date information and best practices in their respective fields. Most of us can no longer afford to attend academic conferences and workshops where we usually meet our counterparts and renew our knowledge in presentations, and formulating new theories.

Attrition and Staff Shortages are not exempted from the effects of poor remuneration which can contribute to high turnover rates among university lecturers. This constant turnover can disrupt the continuity of academic programs, as well as cause staff shortages that strain the remaining faculty members. The burden of additional responsibilities and workload on existing lecturers can negatively impact their well-being and effectiveness. Vice chancellors can tell this story better.

Corruption and Unethical Practices would be the order of the day as it is being heard here and there in various Universities in Nigeria. Inadequate remuneration can create a breeding ground for corruption and unethical practices. Some lecturers may be tempted to engage in activities such as soliciting bribes from students or engaging in unauthorized external activities to supplement their income. This undermines the integrity of the academic system and compromises the quality of education. Who do you blame? A man who is struggling for the survival of his family by all means or a corrupt political leader who does not give a hoot about his followers?

Lastly, poor renumeration will have without doubt, negative Impact on Research and Development. Insufficient compensation can hamper research and development efforts within universities. Lecturers may have limited resources to fund their research projects, attend conferences, or access necessary materials. As a result, the production of groundbreaking research and the development of innovative solutions may be hindered.

Finally, let it be noted that a dissatisfied workforce cannot perform optimally and we must therefore act now to reverse the hostility against university lecturers if we desire to develop competent and creative manpower for our dear nation.

Furthermore, addressing the issue of poor remuneration for university lecturers is crucial for the growth and development of the Nigerian education system. Adequate compensation can help attract and retain qualified educators, foster a positive academic environment, promote quality education, and encourage research and innovation.
Roy-Omonigho is Professor of French and African Studies, University of Benin, Benin City.