The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has relaxed its stance in the protracted wage dispute with the Federal Government, agreeing to a 40 per cent salary increase, a move that could finally bring an end to months of tense negotiations and avert a nationwide strike across public universities.

The union had earlier rejected a 35 per cent increment, insisting the offer did not reflect current economic realities. But at a final round of talks with the government negotiation panel chaired by Yayale Ahmed in Abuja, ASUU representatives were informed that 40 per cent was the government’s maximum concession, multiple sources confirmed.

Negotiations resumed on Monday, November 24, and concluded the following day, forming part of emergency efforts to prevent industrial action after ASUU’s one-month ultimatum expired over the weekend.

Although ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) has endorsed the new terms, branch chairpersons are expected to brief their members before the union formally communicates its acceptance to the Federal Government.

A document signed by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, and obtained in Abuja, indicates the union’s readiness to adopt the revised salary structure alongside other negotiated reforms.

The comprehensive report, which captures progress made in reviewing the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, highlights significant resolutions on funding, autonomy, governance, and staff welfare. Across seven thematic areas,  including salaries, conditions of service, implementation strategy, university governance, and earned academic allowances, both parties reached consensus on key institutional reforms.

On university autonomy, both sides reaffirmed the supremacy of existing university laws, stressing that no external circulars will override the powers of Senates and governing councils. They also agreed that the appointment of vice-chancellors must remain strictly merit-based, rejecting proposals for host-community-based selections. Governing council nominees are now expected to possess integrity and a demonstrable understanding of academic culture.

Further agreements include internal elections for heads of departments and deans, as well as recruitment policies that encourage national and international diversity.

Under a revised funding framework, universities will adopt a needs-based budgeting model to address recurrent and capital shortfalls. The Federal Government also pledged support for research through the National Research Council while promoting private-sector involvement in research financing.

Additional provisions include the protection of university land assets, duty-free import privileges on educational and laboratory equipment, and the exploration of new tax-based revenue models to strengthen tertiary education financing.

Operational reforms approved by both sides include limiting pre-degree programmes to science and under-subscribed courses, abolishing the controversial pyramidal academic ranking system, and linking promotions more directly to research output and performance.

The agreement also establishes a three-year review cycle and provides automatic salary adjustments for academics whenever public sector wages are revised. On earned academic allowances, both parties agreed to annual payments equivalent to 12 per cent of each university’s academic wage bill, funded through yearly government appropriations. A non-victimisation clause was also secured for all parties involved in the negotiations.

ASUU’s expired ultimatum had heightened fears of imminent industrial unrest, following complaints that the government had failed to implement past agreements on revitalising public universities and clearing outstanding allowances.

However, Minister of Education Dr. Olatunji Alausa maintains that the Federal Government has met the union’s core demands.

With ASUU now stepping back from confrontation, the higher education sector appears set for a period of relative stability, pending ratification by individual branches and the formal signing of the renewed agreement.