The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has released a detailed progress report on the ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, led by Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed.
The report, issued on Monday from the Union’s National Secretariat at the Comrade Festus Iyayi Complex, University of Abuja, outlines agreements reached across key areas such as university funding, autonomy, governance, research development, and salary conditions.
According to the document signed by ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, the progress report is presented under seven sections:
Non-Salary Conditions of Service; Funding; Other Matters; Implementation Strategy; General Section; Salary Condition of Service; and Earned Academic Allowances.
Here is The key contents of the report below as released by ASUU:
1.0 Non-Salary Conditions of Service for Academic Staff in Nigerian Universities
1.1 Amendment of Enabling Laws
“It was agreed that existing Laws of Institutions are dynamic and could be amended, as the need arises. It was also agreed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) would furnish stakeholders with a copy of the Bill which is currently receiving legislative attention.”
1.2 University Autonomy
“Both sides agreed on the university autonomy.”
2.0 Funding of Nigerian Universities
2.1 Budgetary System
“It was agreed that Universities shall adopt an improved budget template that captures all their recurrent and capital needs… in conformity with Needs-based Budgeting System.”
2.2 Research and Development
The parties agreed that:
“FME and other stakeholders should… ensure that the interest of the education sector… is adequately covered.”
“The National Research Council (NRC) funding would be dedicated to Research and Innovation…”
“FGN would encourage companies and multinationals… to establish and fund Research and Development activities in Nigerian universities.”
2.3 Transfer of Landed Properties
“It was agreed that FGN will ensure the protection of the sanctity of universities’ landed properties.”
2.4 Other Sources of Funding
“It was agreed that the FGN and ASUU would sponsor Bills on new and innovative forms of taxes to guarantee sustainable funding of education… FGN will issue executive order towards achieving the same purpose.”
3.0 Other Matters
3.1 Governing Councils
“Appointment of Governing Council members should continue to be in line with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003.”
3.2 Powers of Councils
“Council powers shall be exercised… and circulars inconsistent with the Laws… shall not apply.”
3.3 University Autonomy & Academic Freedom
“Universities shall be allowed to operate in accordance with their enabling Laws… Both the Government and the Universities will comply with the extant Laws.”
3.4 Appointment of Vice-Chancellors
“Appointment shall be strictly on merit… tendencies of insisting on indigenes… should be prohibited.”
3.5 Appointment of Council Members
Agreed points include:
a. “Persons appointed… shall be of the highest integrity…”
b. “State Governments should appoint a reasonable percentage of non-indigenes.”
c. “NUC should incorporate rules into its accreditation process” to enforce the above.
3.6 Heads of Departments
“Heads… shall be elected… and not below Senior Lecturer.”
3.7 Election of Deans and Provosts
a. “Positions shall be by election.”
b. “Dean Postgraduate School shall be by election.”
3.8 Recruitment of Academic Staff
“Universities should ensure national and international mix…”
3.9 JAMB
“Admission processes should be consistent with the powers of the University Senate in collaboration with JAMB.”
3.10 Pre-Degree Programmes
“Restricted to sciences and under-subscribed disciplines.”
3.11 Students’ Lawful Assembly
“Rights of students… shall be respected.”
3.12 Senate and 3.13 Congregation
Both to be composed strictly according to their enabling laws.
3.14 Pyramidal Structure
“Abolished… promotions shall not be subjected to vacancy but to publications and performance criteria.”
3.15 Duty Free Importation
“Universities shall be entitled to duty-free importation of books, equipment, journals, and research materials.”
4.0 Implementation Strategy
Priority areas agreed for immediate commencement include:
a. “Establishing a dedicated Unit in NUC for monitoring implementation.”
b. “Setting up an Implementation Monitoring Committee…”
c. “Amendment of relevant laws.”
d. “Release of funds to meet Government obligations.”
5.0 General Section
5.1 Review Period
“A comprehensive review… every three years.”
5.2 Salary Increment
“Whenever there is a general increase… academic staff remuneration shall be correspondingly increased.”
5.3 Non-victimisation
“Nobody shall be victimised… for his/her role in the renegotiation.”
6.0 Salary Condition of Service
The report states that government made “several offers which were considered grossly inadequate and accordingly rejected.”
A revised salary table “plus or minus the Nimi Briggs recommendation” was later offered, with some cadres slightly higher and others slightly lower.
NUC urged ASUU to consider the offer to avoid “stagnation of earnings over a protracted period of negotiation.”
7.0 Earned Academic Allowances
The parties agreed that:
“The annual cost of implementing the Earned Allowance… shall be the equivalent of 12% of the appropriated Academic Staff salaries and wages of each university… through budgetary allocation.”
ASUU stated that the progress report represents the current position of engagements and reaffirmed its commitment to securing improved conditions for university academics nationwide.
