The Federal Government has reportedly offered a 40% salary increase to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to sources in Abuja familiar with the ongoing talks.
The proposal was discussed during ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday, where branch leaders agreed to return to the negotiation table with the government team led by Yayale Ahmed.
A union member who spoke on condition of anonymity said discussions are still ongoing.
“They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will go back and brief their members. As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” the source said.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Saturday, heightening anxiety across public universities over a possible strike. To prevent a shutdown of academic activities, the government invited ASUU leaders to a meeting in Abuja earlier in the week, which lasted through Tuesday.
Both sides have refrained from releasing details of the talks due to strict negotiation rules.
ASUU maintains that the government has failed to fulfil key agreements, citing “nonchalant” responses to demands such as:
Renegotiation of the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement
Payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances
Release of revitalisation funds for public universities
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The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently abroad, recently insisted that the government has met most of ASUU’s demands. He also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not shut down again.
“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 students stay in school… We’ve met almost all their requirements,” Alausa said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has pledged full support for ASUU, warning that it will stand with the union if the government fails to honour its commitments.
