The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said it has not been informed of any pay rise given to lecturers in federal institutions.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this in an interview on Friday.
He was responding to a circular the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation had issued regarding the increment.
“We have not been informed of such a development, and when we are officially notified, we are going to react,” ASUU president said in told phone conversation.
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 January this year, when the arrears were paid.
“What they are offering is not enough, but we are not rejecting it. However, this is to be taken differently from the general upward review of salaries of public workers in view of the current economic crunch in the country,” he said.
The FG had earlier opposed a 25% pay rise for lecturers when it raised that for professors by 35%.
However, the Auditor-General stated in a circular No. OAuGF/SW/C/QP/1395/VOL.1/11, dated September 21, 2023, issued to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, that the Presidential Committee on Salaries had approved the implementation at its 13th meeting.