The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is preparing to accept the Federal Government’s proposed salary adjustments after months of tense negotiations. This development is contained in an internal document signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, and obtained in Abuja on Monday.

The Federal Government had earlier offered a 40% salary increase during discussions with the Yayale Ahmed-led negotiation committee.

According to the document, ASUU’s readiness to accept the offer stems from two major factors: the government’s refusal to shift from its position and the union’s concern over the long-standing stagnation of academic staff earnings caused by delayed negotiations.

Both parties also reached a mutual agreement that all terms should be reviewed every three years.

Highlights from ASUU President’s Document

Salary Structure

Prof. Piwuna noted that while earlier government proposals were rejected for being “grossly inadequate,” a revised salary table closely aligned with recommendations from the Nimi Briggs Committee was eventually offered.

Some ranks received slightly higher figures than the committee recommended, while others received slightly lower. NEC resolved that accepting the revised structure was more beneficial than prolonging negotiations without progress.

Earned Allowances

The document clarifies:

“The annual cost of implementing Earned Allowances for Academic Staff shall be 12% of each university’s budgeted salaries and wages, as already practiced in some state universities.”

These funds are expected to be provided through direct budgetary allocations.

University Autonomy

Both sides agreed that universities should operate strictly under their enabling laws, statutes, and regulations.
The agreement emphasizes:

• Compliance with due process
  
• Upholding existing laws governing the university system
  
• Ensuring that neither government nor universities violates statutory provisions
  

Periodic Review

A complete review of all agreements will occur every three years to maintain relevance and fairness.

Sustainable Education Funding

The Federal Government and ASUU will jointly sponsor bills introducing innovative tax measures to ensure long-term funding for the education sector.
Additionally, the government is expected to issue executive orders to support these funding reforms.

General Salary Adjustments

The agreement states:

• Any general increase in public sector wages must reflect proportionately in academic staff salaries.
  
• No lecturer will be victimized for participating in the negotiation process.
  

Appointments and Governing Council

Key resolutions include:

• Appointments into Governing Councils must comply with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2003.
  
• Governing Councils must operate strictly within their legal mandates.
  
• Appointment of Vice-Chancellors must be strictly based on merit, with no preference for indigenes of host communities a practice the union and government agreed undermines meritocracy.

Background: Rising Tensions in Public Universities

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired last Saturday, raising anxiety on campuses nationwide. The union has repeatedly accused the government of neglecting key issues such as:

• Implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement
  
• Settlement of outstanding salaries and earned allowances
  
• Release of revitalization funds for public universities
  

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, previously insisted that government had met most of the union’s demands and expressed confidence that there would be no strike.

Labour Union Backs ASUU

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind ASUU and warned that it may intervene if government fails to honor its commitments.