The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed that it has not received any official communication regarding a pay raise for lecturers in federal institutions.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made this statement during an interview.
His response comes in the wake of a circular issued by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation announcing the salary increment.
It can be recalled that the Federal Government initially opposed a 25% pay increase for lecturers while approving a 35% raise for professors.
However, a circular numbered OAuGF/ SW/C/QP/1395/VOL.1/11, dated September 21, 2023, and addressed to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, states that the implementation of the salary increment was approved by the Presidential Committee on Salaries during its 13th meeting.
“We have not been informed of such a development and when we are officially notified, we are going to react,” he told our correspondent on phone.
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.