The Federal Government has put forward a proposal to increase the salaries of university lecturers by 40 per cent as part of ongoing negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The offer emerged after ASUU’s National Executive Council met in Abuja on Sunday to review the state of discussions.
Sources present at the meeting confirmed that branch leaders have been directed to brief their members ahead of the next round of talks with the government team led by Yayale Ahmed. One NEC member, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said negotiations would continue next week, noting that the offer was tabled as the government tries to prevent fresh industrial action.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Saturday, raising concerns about a possible nationwide shutdown of public universities. A meeting called by the government last Monday extended into Tuesday, but both sides kept details of the discussions confidential due to strict negotiation protocols.
The union has repeatedly criticised what it describes as the government’s slow response to longstanding demands, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, outstanding salaries and allowances, and funding for university revitalisation.
While abroad, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, maintained that the government had substantially met ASUU’s requests. He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must remain open, insisting ongoing engagements would resolve the issues.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has backed ASUU, warning that it will mobilise support should the Federal Government fail to honour its commitments.
