ASUU Reacts To FG’s 25% Pay Rise For Lecturers

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has stated that it has not been officially informed about any pay raise for lecturers in federal institutions.

VerseNews reports that ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, mentioned that the union will react once it receives official notification.

According to a memo from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation, dated 21st September 2023, which was signed by Ajanaku F.O on behalf of the Director, Human Resource Management, the government approved a review of Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS), Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS), Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) and Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONUASS).

On the other hand, the National President of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, acknowledged the circular about the pay raise.

He mentioned that although the increase was not sufficient, his union would not reject it.

Dr. Sunmonu explained that the circular should have been implemented several months ago, and discussions with the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, had taken place.

The pay raise was supposed to be effective from January of the current year, with arrears paid accordingly.

The federal government had previously resisted a 25% pay raise for lecturers but approved a 35% increase for professors.

It is understood that the 25% increase is for lecturers while 35% is for professors in all federal institutions.

A circular dated September 21, 2023, issued to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education by the Auditor-General of the Federation confirmed the implementation of the pay raise, which was approved by the Presidential Committee on Salaries at its 13th meeting.