The Federal Government has reportedly offered a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), sources familiar with the matter told our correspondent in Abuja.

The proposal comes as ASUU prepares to return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government delegation led by Yayale Ahmed.

The union’s decision follows a consensus reached at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Sunday. Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to brief their members nationwide.

A member who preferred to remain anonymous due to media restrictions during negotiations said the union would continue discussions with the government.

“They proposed a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will update members on the situation. As it stands, negotiations with the government will continue next week,” the source said.

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government ended last Saturday, escalating tension within Nigerian public universities.

In a last-minute move to prevent a potential strike, the government summoned ASUU leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which continued until Tuesday. Both parties declined to disclose details of the discussions due to strict rules governing the negotiation process.

The union had threatened a full-scale strike, citing the government’s “nonchalant” attitude toward its demands. Key issues include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.

Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, currently out of the country, insisted that the government had met the union’s demands. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that there should be no strike in public universities, emphasizing ongoing negotiations to keep students in school.

“As I told you, the President has mandated that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything possible to ensure our students stay in school. The last strike they went on for about six days was unnecessary. We have met all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the umbrella body for labour unions in the country, has expressed support for ASUU and pledged to advocate for the academic community if the government fails to meet its demands.