The Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed a 40% salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at addressing various issues affecting the academic community. This proposal follows a recent meeting of ASUU’s National Executive Council, where it was decided to continue discussions with the government.
The union’s leadership is preparing to communicate this development to their members across the country, with negotiations set to resume next week. The urgency of these talks comes after ASUU issued a one-month ultimatum to the government, which recently expired, raising concerns about a potential strike.
In a bid to prevent industrial action, the government convened a meeting with ASUU leadership, which lasted from Monday into Tuesday. However, both parties have refrained from disclosing details about the discussions due to strict negotiation protocols.
Key issues on the table include a review of the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government, the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, and the allocation of funds for university revitalization. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently out of the country, has stated that the government believes it has met the union’s demands and emphasized the importance of keeping students in school.
Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive against strikes in public universities, expressing confidence that ongoing negotiations will lead to a resolution and prevent further disruptions to academic activities.
