The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has adopted a more conciliatory approach by accepting the Federal Government’s proposed 40 per cent salary increase, bringing an end to months of dispute over unmet demands.

ASUU had previously rejected the government’s earlier offer of a 35 per cent increase. However, at the last negotiation meeting between ASUU leaders and the government committee led by Yayale Ahmed in Abuja, the union was informed, according to insiders present, that 40 per cent was the highest the government could offer.

The latest round of negotiations began on Monday, November 24, and concluded on Tuesday, November 25.

The meeting formed part of the government’s last-minute efforts to avert a full-scale strike following the expiration of ASUU’s one-month ultimatum.

However, ASUU branch leaders must still relay NEC’s position to members before the union formally writes to the Federal Government to proceed with signing a new agreement.

A document signed by ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, and obtained in Abuja indicated the lecturers’ readiness to accept the pay rise alongside other resolved issues.

The document, a progress report on the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement led by Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, highlighted key agreements on university funding, autonomy, governance, and staff welfare.

The union outlined agreements reached across seven major areas, including non-salary conditions of service, funding, governance, implementation strategies, salaries, and earned academic allowances.

On university autonomy and governance, ASUU and the Federal Government agreed to uphold full university autonomy, including strict adherence to existing laws governing Senates, Governing Councils, and internal regulations.

It was reaffirmed that establishment circulars inconsistent with university laws would no longer be applied.

Both parties also agreed that vice-chancellors must be appointed strictly on merit, rejecting increasing calls for host-community indigenes to fill the position.

They further noted that membership of governing councils must align with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, ensuring nominees are persons of integrity with a sound understanding of university culture.

Departments will elect their heads, while deans, sub-deans, and provosts will be chosen through internal elections. Recruitment policies will promote national and international diversity among staff and students.

The document also addressed funding and budgeting reforms, approving an improved needs-based budgeting model for universities. This will cater for critical recurrent and capital needs previously excluded from the existing budget structure.

It also noted the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening research and development by ensuring universities benefit from National Research Council interventions and encouraging companies and multinationals to fund research in tertiary institutions.

It was further agreed that universities’ landed property would be protected and that new innovative taxes, including those requiring legislation and executive orders, would be explored to ensure sustainable education funding.

On administrative matters, ASUU stated that the Senate, Congregation, and other statutory bodies would remain constituted according to law. Pre-degree programmes will be limited to science and under-subscribed fields, while universities must respect students’ constitutional rights to lawful assembly and association.

The long-debated pyramidal academic staff structure was abolished, with promotions now based on research output and performance rather than available vacancies.

Universities also secured approval for duty-free importation of books, laboratory equipment, journals, teaching tools, and sustainable energy materials.

Regarding the implementation strategy, priority areas include establishing a monitoring unit in the National Universities Commission (NUC), setting up an implementation committee, amending relevant laws, and releasing funds to meet government obligations.

The agreement will undergo a comprehensive review every three years, and academic staff salaries will automatically increase whenever public sector wages are reviewed.

The document also addressed the salary structure and earned allowances. Earlier government proposals were rejected as inadequate.

“After further negotiations, a structure comparable to recommendations of the Nimi Briggs Committee was proposed, slightly higher for some cadres and slightly lower for others.”

ASUU’s National Executive Council resolved to accept the offer to avoid prolonged stagnation.

On earned academic allowances, both parties agreed that universities would implement annual payments equivalent to 12 per cent of their appropriated academic staff wage bill, funded through yearly budgetary allocations.

ASUU also secured a non-victimisation clause to protect all individuals involved in the negotiations.

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired last Saturday, heightening tension across public universities.

The union had threatened nationwide industrial action over what it described as the government’s “nonchalant” attitude towards its demands, including a review of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and release of the university revitalisation fund.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has consistently maintained that the Federal Government has met all of ASUU’s demands. (Nigerian Tribune)