ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly put forward a proposal for a 40 per cent salary increase for university lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This proposal comes as ASUU leaders prepare to resume negotiations with the Federal Government team led by Yayale Ahmed.
The union’s move follows resolutions adopted during its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.
Branch chairpersons who attended the meeting are expected to brief their members nationwide on the outcome.
A member of the NEC, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during the negotiation process, said the union would continue its dialogue with the government.
“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 across public universities.
In a last-minute attempt to prevent a possible strike, the government invited ASUU’s leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which extended into Tuesday.
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Both sides have kept details of the talks from the public, in line with the strict rules guiding the negotiation process.
The union had warned of a total strike, accusing the government of adopting a “nonchalant” approach to its demands.
The core issues include revisiting the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement, clearing outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and releasing the university revitalisation fund.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa currently out of the country maintains that the government has fulfilled the union’s demands.
In an earlier briefing with State House correspondents, Alausa restated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must remain open, stressing that talks were ongoing to ensure students are not disrupted.
“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.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the central labour body, has expressed solidarity with ASUU and pledged to stand by the academic union should the government fail to honour its commitments.