The Federal Government has reportedly proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities as negotiations between both parties resume in Abuja.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the proposal was made ahead of a fresh round of talks between the ASUU leadership and the government delegation headed by Yayale Ahmed. The union agreed to return to the negotiation table following a resolution reached at its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.
Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to brief their members across the country on the latest developments.
A NEC member, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during negotiations, confirmed the offer by the Federal Government. He said branch leaders would consult with their members while talks continue.
He explained that ASUU’s one month ultimatum to the Federal Government ended last Saturday, raising tension across public universities. In a bid to avert a nationwide strike, the government summoned the union’s leadership to an emergency meeting in Abuja on Monday, which extended into Tuesday. Both parties declined to publicly disclose details of the discussions in line with the rules guiding the negotiation process.
ASUU had threatened to embark on a full scale industrial action over what it described as the government’s nonchalant attitude to its demands. The union is seeking a review of the 2009 ASUU Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, as well as the release of the university revitalisation fund.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who is currently outside the country, maintained that the government has met the union’s demands. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa said President Bola Tinubu had directed that there must be no strike in public universities, assuring that negotiations were ongoing to keep students in school.
Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed support for ASUU and vowed to intervene should the government fail to meet the union’s demands.
