The Federal Government has proposed a 40% salary increase for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as part of ongoing efforts to avert another nationwide strike.
Sources familiar with the negotiation told our correspondent in Abuja that the offer will be tabled when ASUU resumes talks with the government delegation led by former Head of Service, Yayale Ahmed.
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) met in Abuja on Sunday, where branch leaders were briefed on the proposal and instructed to share the update with members across university campuses.
A NEC member, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on media engagement, confirmed that negotiations would continue next week.
“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.
Tension as ASUU ultimatum lapses
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired last Saturday, raising concerns that the union may declare a strike over unresolved issues, including:
- Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement
- Payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances
- Release of the university revitalisation fund
In a bid to prevent another shutdown of public universities, the Federal Government invited ASUU to a closed-door meeting on Monday, which continued into Tuesday. Both sides maintained strict confidentiality in line with negotiation rules.
Government insists it has met ASUU’s demands
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, currently out of the country, recently insisted that the government has fulfilled most of ASUU’s requests.
He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not go on strike, adding that ongoing dialogue was aimed at stabilising the academic calendar.
“The President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike. We’ve met literally all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” Alausa said at the State House two weeks ago.
NLC backs ASUU
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind ASUU, warning the government to address the union’s concerns urgently.
NLC said it would not hesitate to support actions taken by ASUU if negotiations break down.
