The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), particularly its University of Calabar (UniCal) chapter, has once again called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) to implement the recommendations of the Nimi Briggs‑led committee. 

ASUU’s UniCal leader, Dr Peter Ubi, said in a recent interview that the union isn’t satisfied with the slow pace — or apparent lack — of action from the government. 

A bit of background: the Briggs-led committee was set up to renegotiate the old 2009 agreement between ASUU and FG. The committee handed over a draft agreement in 2021, expecting it to be approved and signed by both parties. 

ASUU says they originally pushed for “African average salaries” for professors, but when the government pushed back, they compromised — shifting to “West African average salaries.” Even that compromise was shelved. Instead, FG offered a 35% salary increase — but ASUU rejected it, arguing it didn’t line up with what the Briggs committee recommended. 

Dr. Ubi accused the government of “delay tactics” and stressed that the union remains firm: they will stick with the Briggs-committee agreement as the benchmark. 

On its part, the government — through the Federal Ministry of Education — maintains that the 2009 agreement remains the last formally signed deal between it and ASUU. The 2021 draft from the Briggs committee, though acknowledged, is not yet signed and so — in the government’s view — not binding. 

So for now, ASUU is urging FG to stop dragging its feet: sign and implement the proposals already negotiated under the Briggs-committee. Union leaders believe this is key to restoring confidence, improving academic staff welfare, and ensuring stability in Nigeria’s public universities.