The Federal Government has reportedly offered a 40 per cent salary increase to lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to reliable sources in Abuja.
The proposal comes ahead of renewed negotiations between ASUU and the government’s team, led by Yayale Ahmed. The decision to return to the negotiation table followed a consensus reached during the union’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.
Branch chairpersons who attended the NEC meeting are expected to brief their members on the latest development. A union member, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during negotiations, confirmed the government’s offer.
“They proposed a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will update members on the situation. For now, negotiations will continue next week,” the source revealed.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired last Saturday, heightening anxiety across public universities. In an attempt to avert a looming strike, the government summoned ASUU leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which continued into Tuesday. Both sides kept the discussions confidential due to strict negotiation rules.
The union had threatened a full strike, accusing the government of showing a “nonchalant” attitude toward its long-standing demands. These include the review of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and release of the university revitalisation fund.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa—currently out of the country—has insisted that the government has already met the majority of ASUU’s demands. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, he emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not embark on further strikes.
“As I told you, the President has mandated that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure students stay in school. The last six-day strike was unnecessary. We have met almost all their requirements and returned to the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind ASUU, warning that it will defend the academic union if the government fails to honour its commitments.
