The Federal Government has offered a 40 per cent salary increase to university lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), as both parties prepare for another round of negotiations in Abuja, sources familiar with the matter told our correspondent.
The new offer comes just days after ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where the union resolved to continue discussions with the government delegation led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
A senior NEC member, who requested anonymity due to restrictions placed on public comments during ongoing negotiations, confirmed the development. “They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation. As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” the source said.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the government expired last Saturday, raising concerns over a possible nationwide strike in public universities. To prevent a shutdown of academic activities, the Federal Government held an emergency meeting with ASUU leaders in Abuja on Monday, with discussions extending into Tuesday.
Details of the talks have been kept confidential, in line with the rules governing the negotiation process. However, ASUU has reiterated that unresolved issues remain, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, payment of withheld salaries and earned allowances, and release of funds for university revitalisation.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa — who is currently out of the country — recently insisted that the government had addressed most of the union’s demands. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa cited President Bola Tinubu’s directive to avoid strikes in public universities.
“As I told you, the President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed. We’ve met literally all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind ASUU, warning that it will intervene if the government fails to meet the union’s demands.
Branch chairpersons who attended the NEC meeting are expected to brief their members nationwide on the government’s latest proposal.
