ABSU Suspends Professor of Economics, Nnamdi Nwaeze, Over ‘Uncomplimentary’ Social Media Posts Against Governor Otti

Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has suspended a Professor of Economics, Nnamdi Nwaeze, over social media publications which the institution described as “inimical to the interests of the University” and “uncomplimentary” to its Visitor, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.

The suspension, which takes immediate effect, was announced by the university on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in a statement issued by its Media and Public Relations Unit.

The statement, signed by the Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer of the university, Chijioke Nwogu, said the decision followed concerns arising from “various social media posts attributed to Professor Nwaeze.”

According to the university, Professor Nwaeze, who lectures in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, has been placed on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.

“Management has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences,” the statement said.

The institution explained that the action was taken following concerns over social media posts allegedly made by the academic which were considered “inimical to the interests of the University and uncomplimentary to the Visitor of the University.”

However, the university did not disclose the specific social media posts attributed to Professor Nwaeze or provide details of the statements that allegedly prompted the disciplinary action.

It also did not explain in detail how the posts were considered inimical to the interests of the university.

In a further development, the university said Management had constituted an Investigative Panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the matter and make appropriate findings.

The suspension, it added, would remain in force pending the conclusion of the panel’s investigation.

The development has attracted attention because of the reference in the university’s statement to its Visitor, Governor Alex Otti, whose office is institutionally linked to the university under the applicable framework governing the institution.

By expressly describing the alleged publications as “uncomplimentary” to the Visitor, the university has linked the disciplinary matter to Professor Nwaeze’s purported comments concerning the governor.

The statement, however, did not allege that Professor Nwaeze committed any criminal offence, nor did it announce a final disciplinary finding against him.

Rather, the university’s position, as contained in the statement, is that the matter remains under investigation and that the suspension is an interim measure pending the outcome of the Investigative Panel.

The case is therefore expected to be determined further by the findings and recommendations of the panel constituted by the university’s Management.

As of the time of filing this report, no response from Professor Nwaeze was contained in the university’s statement regarding the allegations or the circumstances leading to his suspension.