Work related musculoskeletal pain which can be associated with the nature of occupation was a leading cause of suffering, low productivity and economic burdens in society. The research surveyed the preponderance of muscular pain among academic and non-academic staff of a University in Nigeria.

Sample of convenience was used to recruit 420 respondents (120 academic and 300 non-academic staff) from all faculties, units and library sections of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife. Each respondent completed a Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain questionnaire and socio-demographic data. Data was presented using descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and percentages and inferential statistics of Spearman Rho and independent-t-test were used to relate and compare the variables.

Result revealed that 71.7 % academic and 63.0 % of non- academic staff had experience muscular pain in previous one year. More than Forty one (176) percent of the respondents reported pain at the neck, 168 (40%) at lower back and 87 (20.6%) at both knees in the last 12 months. In the one week, 50 (11%) reported the occurrence of discomfort at the cervical region while 50 (11.9%) at low back. Prolonged sitting 102 (24.5%) was responsible for the most of the activity-provoked pain. Pain intensity of academic was significant higher (t= -2.229 p=0.027) than that of non-academic staff members. Pain occurrence (r= 0.517, 0.879) and pain duration (r=0.641, 0.702) for academic and non academic staff were directly related to pain intensity.

Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) among academic (71.7%) was higher than non-academic (63.0%) in OAU with neck pain been the commonest followed by low back pain. Occurrence and duration of pain had positive influence on pain intensity of members.

Keywords: Academic, non academic, Nordic Questionnaire, pain intensity, University