The management of Abia State University, Uturu, has lifted the suspension imposed on Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics following an intervention by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The university conveyed the decision in a letter dated September 3, 2026, and signed by its Acting Registrar, Dr Joy Nwankwo.

The letter stated that the suspension was being lifted immediately after the university received a written plea from the ASUU chapter at the institution.

However, the university made it clear that the recall does not bring the matter to a complete end, as an investigative panel already constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding Nwaeze’s suspension is still expected to submit its final report.

Nwaeze, a professor of Economics, had earlier raised concerns about conditions within the university through a post on his Facebook page. Among the issues he reportedly highlighted were low salaries and outstanding salaries and allowances.

Following the comments, the university suspended him indefinitely and established an investigative panel to look into the matter.

The suspension subsequently became a major point of contention between the university management and the institution’s ASUU chapter.

ASUU-ABSU embarked on industrial action, making the lecturer’s recall one of its key demands for ending the strike. The union had given the university management a deadline of September 4 to resolve the matter.

The development eventually culminated in the university’s decision to lift the suspension, although the ongoing investigation means that the final outcome of the dispute remains subject to the panel’s report.

The Abia State Government had previously distanced itself from the dispute, maintaining that the suspension was an internal matter involving the university.

However, Governor Alex Otti later engaged with the union and met some of the demands raised during the dispute.

Confirming the latest development, ASUU-ABSU Chairman, Professor Chidi Mba, acknowledged that the suspension had been lifted but declined to discuss the details of the university’s decision, saying the matter was being handled administratively.

The recall is expected to ease tensions between the lecturers’ union and university management following weeks of disagreement that affected academic activities at the institution.

For now, Professor Nwaeze has returned from suspension, while the investigative process remains ongoing and the university awaits the panel’s final report before determining any further action.