Abstract
This paper examines the trend in wage reform policies in Nigerian state universities. The authors note that from the early sixties – when the universities were established – to the late nineties, the centralization of pay determination provided a uniform salary structure for staff of Nigerian Universities, irrespective of ownership and location. During this period, there was relative industrial harmony which provided a favourable atmosphere for academic activities to thrive. Unfortunately, the economic reform policies introduced in the mid-eighties culminated in the deregulation of industrial relations. This meant that, when the need arises, each state government would negotiate its own salary structure with the staff of its university, using the federal government framework as a guide. The paper observes that following this development, work stoppages have become a recurrent phenomenon in state universities since 2000. These stoppages have impacted negatively on students’ learning. To reverse the trend, the paper recommends a multi-employer bargaining model where the Federal, State governments and university unions can jointly negotiate and agree on a strategy that would create a favourable learning atmosphere in Nigerian universities. This would develop the high-calibre manpower needed for nation building.
Keywords: Industrial Relations, Collective Bargaining, Nigeria, Remuneration, University Staff, Multi-employer Bargaining, Deregulation