The Federal Government has proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities as both sides prepare to resume negotiations in Abuja. The talks will be led by a government team headed by Yayale Ahmed, with ASUU’s leadership returning to the table after internal consultations.
ASUU’s National Executive Council met in Abuja on Sunday and agreed that the union should continue discussions with the government. Branch leaders who attended the NEC meeting are expected to brief their members nationwide on the new proposal and the next steps.
A union source, who asked not to be named because of restrictions on speaking to the media during negotiations, confirmed the offer of a 40 per cent pay rise. The source said the discussions are ongoing and will continue next week, adding that members will be updated as talks progress.
ASUU’s one month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired last Saturday, increasing fears of another shutdown in public universities. In an effort to prevent a strike, the government invited ASUU leaders to an earlier meeting in Abuja that ran from Monday to Tuesday, though both sides kept the details confidential.
The union has repeatedly warned that it may embark on a full scale strike over what it describes as government’s nonchalant attitude to its demands. Core issues include the review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and release of funds to revitalise public universities.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who is currently outside the country, has maintained that government has largely met ASUU’s demands. He said President Bola Tinubu has directed that there should be no strike in public universities and that officials are working to keep students in school while talks continue.
Alausa recently told State House correspondents that the last six day warning strike by ASUU was unnecessary, insisting that most of the union’s requests had been addressed and that discussions had resumed. He expressed confidence that all outstanding issues would be resolved through negotiation rather than industrial action.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind ASUU and warned it will defend the interests of university workers if the Federal Government fails to honour its commitments. The NLC’s backing increases pressure on the government as the academic community and students await the outcome of the renewed talks.
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