The Federal Government has reportedly offered a 40 per cent pay rise to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to insider sources who briefed our correspondent in Abuja.
The proposal is expected to form part of renewed negotiations between ASUU officials and the government team led by Yayale Ahmed, as the union prepares to return to the dialogue table.
The decision to re-engage with the government was reached during ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Sunday. Union branches nationwide are expected to brief their members on the outcome.
A NEC member, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions placed on public commentary during negotiations, confirmed that talks would continue in the coming week.
“The government has suggested a 40% upward review of salaries. Branch leaders will now consult with their members. For now, discussions will resume next week,” the source said.
The expiration of ASUU’s one-month ultimatum last Saturday caused growing concern in public universities, raising fears of another major strike.
In a last-ditch effort to prevent industrial action, government representatives met with ASUU leadership in Abuja on Monday. The meeting continued into Tuesday, though both parties maintained strict confidentiality in line with negotiation rules.
ASUU had earlier threatened a full strike, accusing the government of a “lackadaisical” approach to long-standing demands. These demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, unpaid salaries and earned allowances, and the release of funds for university revitalisation.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa currently on an official trip recently insisted that the government had addressed virtually all of ASUU’s concerns. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, he reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must remain open.
“The President has made it clear that he does not want ASUU embarking on another strike. We are committed to keeping students in school. The last six-day strike was unnecessary, in our view. We have met almost all their demands and are back at the negotiation table. We will sort this out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind ASUU, warning that it will intervene if the Federal Government fails to honour its commitments.
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