The breakthrough agreement between the Federal Government (FG) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that includes a proposed 40 per cent salary increase is now in the final stage of ratification, according to documents and sources close to the union.
The latest update confirms that ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) has formally approved the terms but has mandated the urgent commencement of internal branch consultations to secure the final, widespread acceptance required before the new agreement is signed and implemented.
While the threat of an immediate strike has been averted, the agreement is not yet officially signed. The process now rests on the decision of local university chapters.
A document signed by ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirms that the NEC considered the 40% offer along with concessions on academic allowances and university autonomy, and recommended its acceptance to its membership.
Branch leaders across all federal universities are currently holding meetings to brief their members on the NEC’s decision and the negotiated terms. This step is a constitutional requirement for ASUU before the union can formally write to the Federal Government to schedule the signing of the final agreement document.
The NEC reportedly concluded that accepting the 40% offer, though falling short of initial demands, was necessary to end the long-standing salary stagnation and stabilize the academic calendar.
Notably, the proposed agreement extends far beyond the salary adjustment, addressing fundamental governance and funding issues
The higher education sector is now poised for a period of stability, pending the quick completion of the branch consultations and the final, formal signing of the revised 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
