Federal Government Proposes 40% Salary Hike for Lecturers as ASUU Strike Looms

The Federal Government has put forward a 40% salary increase for university lecturers in a bid to prevent another nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The offer came as ASUU agreed to resume negotiations with the government delegation headed by Yayale Ahmed.

This followed the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Sunday, where members voted to continue discussions.

A senior NEC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development: “They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment.

Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation. Negotiations continue with the government next week.”

Branch chairpersons are now expected to relay this information to lecturers at their universities as consultations move forward.

Anxiety remains high across Nigeria’s public universities after ASUU‘s one-month ultimatum to the government expired last Saturday.

The union had warned that unmet demands could trigger a complete shutdown of academic activities.

To head off the crisis, the Federal Government convened a lengthy negotiation session with ASUU executives in Abuja that ran from Monday into Tuesday.

While both sides have agreed to keep the details private, there’s cautious optimism that a solution may be within reach.

ASUU’s long-standing grievances include the implementation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and the delayed release of funds meant to revitalize universities.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, currently abroad, maintains that the government has addressed most of the union’s concerns.

Speaking at the State House recently, he emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s firm stance on keeping universities open.

“The President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike. We’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that students stay in school,” Alausa said.

“The last strike they went on, for about six days, was not necessary. We have met literally all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this.”