FG Promised N60,000 Increment in Professor’s Salaries – ASUU
Fresh facts have emerged on why the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rejected the proposal made by the Federal Government to end the ongoing strike.
According to the Port Harcourt zonal coordinator, Stanley Ogoun, the Federal Government had offered to increase lecturers’ salaries modestly while promising several reforms. However, ASUU described the offer as “miserable” and insufficient for reviving public universities.
Federal Government’s Proposal
The government’s proposal, as highlighted by Ogoun, included:
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Salary Increments: Professors would receive N60,000, while other lecturers’ salaries would increase between N30,000 and N60,000.
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Revitalisation Fund: A N170 billion fund for university revitalisation to be included in the 2023 budget.
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Earned Academic Allowances: Payment of two tranches of outstanding allowances in the next budget.
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University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS): A promise to adopt the system.
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White Papers: A pledge to release pending white papers.
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No Amendments to the NUC Act: No statement on the National Universities Commission Act, which has been pending at the National Assembly.
ASUU’s Objection
Ogoun stated that the proposal was inadequate because:
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Promises instead of action: The union accused the government of offering only promissory notes, many of which would only be fulfilled in an election year.
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Salary inadequacy: The proposed N30,000–N60,000 increase was deemed insufficient, considering the lecturers’ responsibilities beyond teaching, including research and community service, which are core to academic promotion.
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Collective bargaining undermined: ASUU emphasized that the government’s approach violates the principle of collective bargaining, reducing the union’s efforts to mere salary increments.
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Moral argument: Ogoun questioned why other unproductive sectors, including politicians and state-owned agencies, continue to receive salaries while public university lecturers are being penalized.
Consequently, ASUU has rejected the proposal and called on the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to resign, accusing him of deceit and mismanagement in the handling of university affairs.
Related Article: FG not ready to fund varsities –ASUU
FAQs About ASUU’s Rejection of the Proposal
Why did ASUU reject the Federal Government’s proposal?
ASUU rejected the proposal because the salary increases were too small, the revitalisation promises were deferred, and the government ignored collective bargaining principles.
How much were professors and lecturers offered as salary increments?
The government offered N60,000 for professors and between N30,000 and N60,000 for other lecturers.
What is the revitalisation fund offered by the government?
The government promised N170 billion in the 2023 budget for the revitalisation of public universities.
Did the proposal address all ASUU demands?
No. The proposal ignored critical demands, such as amendments to the NUC Act, immediate implementation of reforms, and proper resolution of earned allowances.
What is ASUU demanding now?
ASUU insists on fulfillment of all prior agreements, proper funding of universities, fair salary adjustments, and the adoption of transparency and accountability measures before resuming academic activities.
ASUU remains firm that the struggle is for the betterment of Nigerian public universities, warning that accepting the proposal would undermine the union’s objectives and fail to address systemic issues affecting the sector.
