ASUU Reacts to FG’s 25% Salary Increase for Universities Lecturers, Others

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reacted following federal government approval of salary increments for all lecturers in federal universities.

The academic meanwhile said it had not been informed of any pay rise given to lecturers in federal institutions.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this in an interview on Friday, September 22, 2023.

He was reacting to a circular issued by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation regarding the increment.

“We have not been informed of such a development and when we are officially notified, we are going to react,” he said.

However, the National President of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said he was aware of the circular.

He added that the pay rise was not enough, but that his union would not reject it.

“In fact, that circular ought to have taken effect many months ago. We met the then Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, over the matter.

“The thinking then was that the circular would be made public last March and the effective date of its effectiveness would be as from January this year and the arrears paid.

“What they are offering is not enough but we are not rejecting it. However, this is to be taken different from the general upward review of salaries of public workers in view of the current economic crunch in the country,” he said.

Recall that the FG had earlier opposed 25% pay rise for lecturers, when it raised that of professors by 35%.

However, in a circular No: OAuGF/ SW/C/QP/1395/VOL.1/11, dated September 21, 2023, issued to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, the Auditor-General said the implementation was approved by the Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting.

The circular reads, “ The Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting having taken into consideration the various stages of collective bargaining in various sectors, and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions, and consequent upon the Federal Government’s approval, as well as 2023 budgetary provisions, approval is hereby conveyed for the revision of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for academic staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January 2023.”

Also, a letter from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation dated September 21, 2023 which was made available to our correspondent on Friday in Abuja confirmed the increment.

The letter which was signed on behalf of the Director, Human Resource of the office, Ajanaku F.O reads:

“I am directed to inform you that the Presidential Committee on Salaries at it’s 13th meeting having taken into consideration the different stages of collective bargaining in various sectors and specifically engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Institutions-based Unions and consequently the Federal Government’s approval, is hereby conveyed as revised for the following:-

“Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Salary Structure for Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education with effect from 1st January, 2023.

“Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II for non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities, with effect from 1st January, 2023.

“Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure for non – Academic Staff of Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with effect from 1st January, 2023.

“Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II) for Academic Staff of Federal University with effect from 1st January, 2023.”