There is mounting frustration among academic staff in Kaduna State, where corps members posted under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly earn more than full-time lecturers in some tertiary institutions. Lecturers at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, and the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya have described the development as “insulting” and a reflection of the government’s disregard for educators. Findings show that while some corps members receive up to N77,000 monthly, many lecturers with years of experience earn as little as N63,000.
“This is disheartening. How do you expect a family man with over 10 years of experience to survive on N65,000 in this economy?” lamented a lecturer at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic. Another lecturer at the College of Education, Gidan Waya, said, “We are the ones training these corps members, yet they’re paid more than us. What message is the government sending to the academic community?” Investigations further revealed that a Lecturer III with over five years of experience earns about N80,000, while newly recruited staff are placed on even lower salaries.
The pay disparity, compounded by lack of career progression, is contributing to a mass exodus of qualified staff. “Genesis, Nathan, Simeon, Nura – all of them have left for Kaduna State University. Some resigned and never came back. Dr. Philip Hayab left abruptly after his study leave,” one staff member shared. A viral social media post summed up the mood: “If you are an academic staff in Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya, you are a teacher, not a lecturer. Your take-home pay doesn’t take you home.”
Beyond salaries, deteriorating infrastructure is worsening the crisis. Hostel buildings at the College of Education, Gidan Waya, have been overtaken by weeds, with cracked walls, leaking roofs, and broken windows. No students live on campus due to the poor state of the hostels. “The hostels are overrun by snakes and rodents due to the overgrown grass,” said a female senior lecturer. Students also complained of the absence of water, electricity, and sanitation, which they say hinders their ability to learn.
The institution’s decline has also hit the local economy hard. A trader in Gidan Waya remarked, “When the college was functioning well, this town was lively. Now everything is dry.” Many staff attribute the salary stagnation to the state government’s refusal to implement the CONTEDISS salary structure. “Salaries have remained static while inflation keeps skyrocketing,” said a non-academic staff member. Despite rising transportation and living costs, no official response has been given by the Ministry of Education or school authorities, even as stakeholders urge the governor to act swiftly to rescue the state’s education sector.
