FG, ASUU Enter Talks on Proposed 40% Salary Increase

The Federal Government has proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as both parties prepare to resume negotiations in Abuja. The talks will be led by the government delegation chaired by Yayale Ahmed.

The development follows resolutions reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Sunday, where branch leaders agreed to return to members with updates from the negotiation process.

A senior ASUU official, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on media disclosure during negotiations, said the union is ready to continue discussions with the government in an effort to address longstanding concerns affecting public university workers.

The renewed engagement comes after the expiration of ASUU’s one-month ultimatum on Saturday, raising concerns about a potential nationwide strike that could disrupt academic activities across public universities.

ASUU has repeatedly accused the Federal Government of failing to address critical issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, unpaid salaries, earned allowances, and the release of revitalisation funds for public universities.

“They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation,” the ASUU NEC member said.

“As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” he added, noting that both sides agreed to maintain strict confidentiality about details of the ongoing discussions.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has insisted that the government has met most of ASUU’s demands. He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not shut down, stressing ongoing efforts to keep academic activities stable. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also pledged support for ASUU should negotiations fail to yield results.