- No More Strikes as FG Begins Unified Talks with ASUU, Others – Alausa
- … tells ASUU, others to stop using strike as first resort
- …Tinubu committed to keeping students in school, says Alausa
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all outstanding issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education trade unions through a unified and transparent negotiation process.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the progress of ongoing discussions between the government and the unions.
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Dr. Alausa disclosed that the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee will on Thursday receive ASUU’s counteroffer, marking a significant step toward finalising a new agreement.
“Tomorrow, the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institution Expanded Negotiation Committee will receive that counteroffer from ASUU. I believe the committee has reached out to ASUU and other tertiary institution unions to start giving dates and times when they will meet,” he said.
The minister emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that Nigerian students must remain in school, highlighting the government’s determination to avert strikes and restore stability to the tertiary education system.
“We should do everything humanly possible to avoid strikes. People at the highest level of government have been working intensely to ensure a robust but affordable response to our trade unions,” he said.
Dr. Alausa noted that many of the unresolved issues predate the current administration by more than a decade but assured that President Tinubu’s government has the political will to resolve them once and for all.
He explained that, unlike in the past when separate committees handled negotiations for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the new arrangement brings all under a single committee to ensure efficiency and coordination.
“This expanded committee now handles negotiations with both academic and non-academic unions across all tertiary institutions. It’s a more efficient approach that will yield faster results,” he said.
The minister also highlighted key steps already taken by the Federal Government, including the release of ₦50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and the inclusion of ₦150 billion in the 2025 budget for tertiary institution revitalisation projects.
Promotion arrears and wage award issues have also been addressed, with remaining payments expected to be cleared by 2026.
“The Director-General of Budget has confirmed that by next year, all outstanding allowances, including the 2025 wage award, will be paid. The conditions of service are also being reviewed and will be concluded soon,” he added.
Dr. Alausa urged the unions to remain patient and avoid resorting to industrial action, assuring them of the government’s sincerity and sustained commitment to improving staff welfare.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the Minister of Justice and the Solicitor-General are directly part of the negotiation process to ensure all agreements are legally binding,” he said.
The Federal Government’s Expanded Negotiation Committee, chaired by Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, was inaugurated earlier this week to fast-track engagements with unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
