Amid renewed efforts to stabilise the nation’s public universities, discussions between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are set to resume, with a fresh proposal now on the table. Sources in Abuja confirm that the government has offered a 40 per cent salary increase for university lecturers—a move viewed as part of a broader attempt to ease mounting tensions on campuses.

The union’s leadership, having concluded a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Sunday, resolved to re-engage the government’s negotiation team led by Yayale Ahmed. Branch chairpersons who participated in the deliberations are expected to brief their members across the country on the latest developments.

A member of the NEC, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking publicly during the negotiation process, described the offer as a work in progress. According to the official, the proposal marks an initial step, while consultations within the union continue.

The urgency of the negotiations has been amplified by the recent expiration of ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government, a deadline that intensified anxiety within the university system. To forestall a strike, federal officials convened a meeting with ASUU in Abuja beginning Monday and stretching into Tuesday, though both sides maintained silence on the details due to established negotiation protocols.

ASUU has repeatedly warned of a possible nationwide strike, accusing the government of failing to adequately respond to long-standing demands. Central to the dispute are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and the release of funds for university revitalisation.

Despite the union’s position, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has insisted that the administration has substantially addressed ASUU’s concerns. Speaking earlier at the State House, he reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to avoid disruptions in academic activities and expressed confidence that ongoing talks would yield a resolution.

Labour solidarity is also growing around the issue. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has openly sided with ASUU, warning that it will intervene if government commitments fall short. With negotiations expected to continue next week, stakeholders across the academic sector are watching closely, hoping for an agreement that averts another prolonged crisis in public universities.