Professors Can’t Even Fill Their Tanks – Pat Utomi Questions Nigeria’s Economic Reality

Political economy professor Pat Utomi has raised concerns over the low salaries earned by many university professors in Nigeria, questioning how academics are expected to cope with rising living costs on their monthly income.

Utomi, in a post on X, claimed that many professors in government-owned universities earn less than ₦500,000 monthly, a situation he said has become increasingly difficult to reconcile with the country’s rising cost of living.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the academic also highlighted the financial struggles facing ordinary Nigerians, claiming that about 70 per cent of citizens earn less than ₦100,000 per month while the prices of essential goods and services continue to rise.

Utomi said the situation becomes even more difficult for households facing high electricity expenses, which he estimated could consume between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 of a professor’s monthly income in some areas.

He questioned how academics and other low-income earners are expected to meet their basic needs under such economic conditions.

“Some of us in Nigeria earn less than ₦100,000 a month. That takes nearly two and a half times to fill the tank of my car,” Utomi said, while reflecting on the financial pressures confronting Nigerians.

He further questioned the level of remuneration received by university professors, particularly those employed by government institutions.

“How much does a university professor earn in this country? Some work for government universities. They earn probably, at best, ₦500,000 a month,” he said.

Utomi argued that the situation becomes more challenging when other household expenses are taken into consideration, particularly the rising cost of electricity.

“They probably live in an area where power will take up ₦150,000 or ₦200,000 of that money. How is it possible that people are still alive and going?” he asked.

The professor also expressed concern over the amount of money reportedly spent by politicians during political activities, particularly primary elections.

Utomi said he had witnessed primary elections where politicians allegedly spent millions of naira, prompting him to question the source of such funds at a time when academics and other professionals are struggling financially.

“Yet, I watched primary elections and saw politicians spending millions of naira. How can they have all that money when professors can’t even fill a tank with their entire month’s salary? What’s going on?” he asked.

His comments have renewed discussions about the remuneration of academics, the widening gap between political spending and workers’ incomes, and the broader economic pressures confronting Nigerian households.