ASUU Agrees to 40% Salary Increase , Suspends Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), has shifted ground on its prolonged wage dispute with the Federal Government, agreeing to a 40 per cent salary increase, a development that may finally avert fresh industrial action across public universities.
ASUU had earlier rejected a 35 per cent pay rise, maintaining that the offer fell short of expectations. But at the final negotiation session with the government panel chaired by Yayale Ahmed in Abuja, union representatives were informed that 40 per cent was the government’s maximum possible offer.
Negotiations resumed on Monday, November 24, and concluded the following day, forming part of the government’s emergency deliberations to prevent a nationwide strike after ASUU’s one-month ultimatum expired last weekend.
While the union’s National Executive Council, NEC, has approved the government’s terms, branch leaders are now required to brief their members before ASUU formally communicates acceptance to the Federal Government.
A document signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, and obtained in Abuja, signals the union’s readiness to adopt the revised pay structure along with other negotiated improvements.
The comprehensive report, reflecting progress on the review of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, lists landmark resolutions on funding, autonomy, governance, and staff welfare.
Across seven thematic areas including non-salary conditions of service, salaries, implementation strategy, university governance, and earned academic allowances; both sides reached consensus on key institutional reforms.
On the contentious issue of university autonomy, both parties reaffirmed strict adherence to the legal framework guiding Senates, governing councils, and internal administrative structures, clarifying that no external circulars would override existing university laws.
Appointments of vice-chancellors, the document emphasised, must be strictly merit-based, discarding proposals for host-community-based selections.
Similarly, governing councils will require nominees with integrity and a proven understanding of academic culture.
Further agreements include the election of Heads of Departments and Deans internally, alongside recruitment policies promoting both national and international inclusion.
