….Says govt fully committed to maintaining industrial harmony
….ASUU adamant, begins mobilisation for nationwide strike
….SSANU, NASU set for nationwide protest
BY NGOZI A. NWANKWO
The Federal Government has appealed to academic and non-academic unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions to maintain dialogue and cooperation as ongoing negotiations for improved welfare and working conditions near conclusion.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that Nigerian students must remain in school while the government works to permanently resolve the long-standing industrial crises in the education sector.
Alausa stressed that the administration remains fully committed to maintaining industrial harmony, assuring that the government is working tirelessly to produce a fair and lasting agreement that addresses the concerns of both academic and non-academic unions.
“President Tinubu has directed that our children must remain in school. We must do everything humanly possible to avert strikes,” the Minister said. “We appeal to our unions to sustain dialogue as the preferred path to resolving disputes. This administration is sincere, proactive, and determined to find a lasting solution.”
His plea comes amid growing tension as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) intensify mobilisation for an indefinite strike over what they describe as government’s negligence and failure to implement long-standing agreements.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, in a letter to all branches on Monday, accused the government of deliberate silence despite repeated warnings and notices. He said the union has begun full mobilisation of members nationwide, warning that unless urgent action is taken, universities would once again be shut down.
According to Piwuna, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, after its emergency meeting on September 29, resolved to give the government a 14-day ultimatum to address all unresolved issues in the renegotiated agreement transmitted to it since February 2025.
He stated that if the government fails to act within the timeframe, the union would embark on a two-week warning strike as the first phase of a larger industrial action. “It is now one week since those resolutions were reached and communicated to the appropriate authorities. I regret to inform you that there is no meaningful development deserving of any consideration to be reported,” he lamented.
Piwuna expressed frustration that negotiations have dragged on for over eight years, leaving lecturers demoralized and underpaid. He urged members to stay united in their collective struggle, saying the aim is not only to secure fair conditions of service but also to rescue the Nigerian university system from decline.
As the threat of a fresh strike looms, the Education Minister sought to reassure the unions that the government is not resting on its oars. He disclosed that the Federal Government’s Technical Working Group is finalising a comprehensive counteroffer for ASUU and other tertiary institution unions. The recommendations, he said, will soon be submitted to the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led Expanded Negotiation Committee for harmonisation and presentation to all parties.
Alausa explained that, unlike previous administrations, the current government has adopted a unified negotiation framework that brings together all tertiary education unions under a single committee to ensure fairness and coherence. “Eighty percent of the demands across institutions are similar, while twenty percent are peculiar. Having one negotiation body ensures consistency, reduces duplication, and guarantees a comprehensive outcome,” he said.
He added that the Technical Working Group, which includes representatives from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Office of the Solicitor-General of the Federation, has been meeting extensively to conclude the government’s position on the reviewed conditions of service.
Highlighting achievements already recorded, the Minister cited the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, the release of N50 billion for arrears and allowances, and the budgetary provision of N150 billion for the Needs Assessment Fund, set to be disbursed in three tranches of N50 billion within 2025. He also confirmed that issues around promotion arrears and wage awards have been resolved, with full implementation expected soon.
In what he described as a major shift from past practice, Alausa said the inclusion of the Solicitor-General of the Federation and senior officials of the Ministry of Justice in the negotiation process would ensure that all agreements reached are legally binding and enforceable. “This inclusion marks a new era of accountability. Every agreement will be legally sound, transparent, and enforceable,” he assured.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, and the Solicitor-General, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, was also present at the briefing. They all reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to lasting industrial peace and urged the unions to trust the process.
“This administration is not about promises but about action. We appeal to our unions not to resort to strikes. Let us continue to work together for the stability and progress of our education system,” Alausa said.
Meanwhile, tension is also brewing among non-teaching staff as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) announced plans for a one-day protest scheduled for Thursday (today).
The unions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), directed all branches to hold emergency meetings on Wednesday to mobilize members for the protest over what they called the Federal Government’s continued failure to address their long-standing grievances.
Their demands include fair allocation of the N50 billion earned allowances, the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements, payment of outstanding salaries, and settlement of arrears from the 25% and 35% salary increments. They also accused the government of failing to remit third-party deductions for May and June 2022.
In a circular dated October 6 and titled “Commencement of Protest Actions,” signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, members were instructed to fully participate in the nationwide demonstration.
The circular read: “Following the inauguration of the Joint Consultative Committee by the Honourable Minister of Education to look into the demands of JAC of NASU and SSANU, the Committee met twice on September 19 and October 6 with little progress, as our demands remain unresolved despite extension of the ultimatum.”