The Federal Government has reportedly offered a 40 per cent salary increase to lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to sources familiar with ongoing negotiations in Abuja. The proposal comes as ASUU leadership prepares to return to the negotiation table with the government delegation led by Yayale Ahmed.
The decision to resume talks followed a consensus reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Sunday. Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to brief their members nationwide on the latest developments.
Speaking after the NEC session, a member who requested anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement confirmed that negotiations would continue. “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 Federal Government expired last Saturday, heightening anxiety within the academic community across Nigerian public universities. In a last-minute effort to avert a potential strike, the government summoned ASUU leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which extended into Tuesday. Both sides, however, kept details of the deliberations confidential due to strict rules guiding the negotiation process.
ASUU Strike Concerns Deepen as Talks Continue
The union had earlier threatened a full-scale strike, accusing the government of a “nonchalant” approach to its long-standing demands. Key unresolved issues include the review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and the release of funds for university revitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently out of the country, has insisted that the government has addressed the union’s concerns. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that industrial action in public universities must be avoided.
“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,” the minister said.
In a related development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its support for ASUU and signaled readiness to defend the academic union should the Federal Government fail to meet its commitments.
Follow the ongoing ASUU–Federal Government talks and other major national stories. Visit LouisaOlaniyi.com.ng now.
