The Federal Government has put forward a new offer proposing a 40 per cent salary increase for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, according to sources who confirmed the development in Abuja
This latest proposal arrives just as ASUU prepares to sit down again with a government team led by Yayale Ahmed. The decision to resume talks was reached at the union’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday, where branch representatives agreed to brief their members before the next round of negotiations.
One NEC participant, who asked not to be named because of restrictions on speaking to the press during negotiations, said discussions would continue. The source explained that “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.”
Tension had already risen across public universities after ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the government expired on Saturday. In an attempt to prevent a fresh strike, the government invited the union to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which stretched into Tuesday. The details of the discussions were not made public, as both parties are operating under strict negotiation guidelines.
ASUU has warned of a full-blown industrial action, accusing the government of showing a “nonchalant” attitude to its longstanding demands. These demands include a review of the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and the release of the university revitalisation fund.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently abroad, has insisted that the government has already met the union’s requests. Two weeks ago, he told State House correspondents that President Bola Tinubu had made it clear he did not want any further disruptions in public universities. According to him, “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.”
In a show of solidarity, the Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind ASUU, saying it will intervene if the government fails to address the union’s concerns.
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