ASUU–FG NEGOTIATIONS: UNION ACCEPTS ADJUSTED SALARY STRUCTURE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has formally accepted an adjusted salary structure following the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement led by Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed. The agreement, finalized after months of intense dialogue with the Federal Government, addresses both salary and non-salary conditions of service for academic staff in Nigerian universities.
The comprehensive progress report, released by the ASUU National Secretariat, highlighted key agreements covering university autonomy, funding, and governance. Academic staff will benefit from improved budget templates, dedicated research and development funding, and safeguards for university properties. The union also secured commitments for sustainable funding through innovative taxation and executive measures.
Significant provisions include the merit-based appointment of Vice-Chancellors, election of heads of departments, and adherence to university statutes in governance decisions. Additionally, the pyramidal structure of academic staff promotions has been abolished, with promotions now tied to research output and other performance metrics rather than vacancies.
Regarding remuneration, the government made multiple offers, some of which were deemed inadequate by ASUU. After careful deliberation, a salary structure slightly above or below the Nimi Briggs Committee’s previous recommendations was accepted, along with an annual allocation of 22% of academic staff salaries to fund Earned Academic Allowances, as implemented in some state universities.
ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, assured members that the implementation of the agreement would be monitored closely, with a dedicated unit in the National Universities Commission (NUC) and an Implementation Monitoring Committee overseeing compliance. The agreement will undergo a comprehensive review every three years to ensure continued relevance and fairness.
The union emphasized that university staff would not be victimized for their participation in the negotiation process, underscoring a commitment to transparency and fairness.
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