Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has said the Federal Government was committed to enhancing the remuneration package of university lecturers.
The minister spoke with journalists at State House Abuja after briefing the President Muhammadu Buhari on the status of FG’s current engagement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Ngige said, “Yes, our university lecturers deserve good pay. A worker deserves his wages. So, if we compare with what obtains in other climes and they are not adequately remunerated, there is nothing that stops the government within the lean resources we have to do some compensation raise and make them happy.
“So, we are not opposed to that but there is a process like Iexplained to them.”
The minister said a timeline had been given for the draft proposal the union submitted at the Ministry of Education for their conditions of service and wages to be concluded.
He explained that when the relevant committee headed by chair of pro-chancellors submits its report, it will be considered together with the National Salaries and Wages Commission to ensure that the proposed allowances do not exceed government’s extant fixtures.
Ngige said Buhari was satisfied with his brief and the “2020 December agreement with ASUU is on course in terms of implementation.”
