Strike: ASUU Bows to FG's Offer, Agrees to 40% Salary Increase

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that in a development that may finally close months of drawn-out negotiations and avert fresh industrial action across public universities, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has softened its stance in the prolonged wage dispute with the Federal Government, agreeing to a 40 per cent salary increase.

OTN News further reports as gathered that ASUU had earlier rejected a 35 per cent pay rise, maintaining that the offer fell short of expectation.

However, 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, multiple sources confirmed.

OTN News recalls that 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.

However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, maintains that the federal government has substantially met all of ASUU’s conditions.

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.

OTN News, however, observes that with the union now stepping back from confrontation, the higher education sector appears poised for a period of stability, pending ratification by individual ASUU branches and the final signing of a renewed agreement.