….Says govt fully committed to maintaining industrial harmony
…ASUU adamant, begins mobilisation for nationwide strike
BY NGOZI A. NWANKWO
The Federal Government has appealed to all academic and non-academic unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions to continue embracing dialogue and cooperation as ongoing negotiations for improved welfare and working conditions reach an advanced stage.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s firm directive that Nigerian students must remain in school while the government intensifies efforts to permanently resolve the long-standing industrial issues affecting the tertiary education sector.
Alausa emphasized that the administration is fully committed to maintaining industrial harmony, assuring that the government is working round the clock to deliver a fair, realistic, 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.
“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,” the Minister said.
The Federal Government’s appeal is coming as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and their polytechnic counterparts, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), have threatened to commence mobilization for an indefinite strike over alleged negligence and refusal of the government to implement its long-standing agreement with the unions.
ASUU leadership said on Monday that it has commenced mobilization of its members across all universities in the country for an imminent strike, accusing the government of deliberate silence after a notice had been served to all relevant authorities, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi.
The union, in a letter signed by its President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, and sent to all branches, said it had no choice but to shut down universities through strike action in response to the government’s conduct.
Piwuna expressed regret that there had been no meaningful progress toward resolving the issue.
He said, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union, at its emergency meeting of 29th September, 2025, having evaluated the results of the referendum held across our branches, resolved to give government a fourteen-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the negotiated document which has been transmitted to government since February 2025.
“It was further resolved that the Union will proceed on a two-week warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if government fails to take acceptable and satisfactory steps to address the lingering issues.
“The resolutions were immediately communicated to the Honourable Minister of Labour, the Honourable Minister of Education, and the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“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.
“As we enter the second and final week of the ultimatum, I thank you on behalf of NEC for the patience and understanding which you have demonstrated since the commencement of this tortuous negotiation that has unjustifiably lasted over eight years.
“The goal of our current action remains principally to compel Government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement document, amongst other demands.
“The days ahead call for mobilization of every member of our Union to ensure unity of purpose. No one should be left out of the struggle for our welfare, to stem the Japa syndrome and reposition the Nigerian University System (NUS) for global competitiveness.
“We are strong when we organize, but weakened when we agonize! Our Union has always acted in solidarity as a collective; this action will not be different.
“Members are to take instructions only from their Chairpersons. When in doubt, members should consult their Chairpersons, Zonal Coordinators, and attend Congress meetings regularly for updates on further developments.”
But the Education Minister, while appealing to ASUU, ASUP, and others to embrace dialogue, disclosed that the Federal Government Technical Working Group is finalizing a comprehensive counteroffer to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary institution unions. The recommendations, he said, will soon be submitted to the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led Expanded Negotiation Committee for harmonization and presentation to all parties.
Alausa explained that, unlike previous administrations, the present government has adopted a unified negotiation framework that brings together all tertiary education unions under a single committee to ensure efficiency, coherence, and fairness.
“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 added.
According to him, the Technical Working Group comprising representatives from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice) has been meeting extensively to conclude the government’s position on the reviewed conditions of service.
Alausa highlighted major achievements already recorded, including 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 to be disbursed in three tranches of N50 billion this year, 2025.
He also confirmed the resolution of issues surrounding promotion arrears and wage awards, with full implementation targeted.
The Minister noted that the Solicitor-General of the Federation and officials from the Ministry of Justice are directly involved in the negotiation process for the first time, ensuring that all agreements reached are legally binding and sustainable.
“This inclusion marks a new era of accountability. Every agreement will be legally sound, transparent, and enforceable,” the Minister stated.
Also present at the briefing were the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, all of whom reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to ensure lasting industrial peace in the education sector.
Alausa commended the patience and understanding of all unions and assured them that the government’s approach is guided by dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect.
“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,” he said.
The Expanded Negotiation Committee, chaired by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, is expected to conclude its harmonized report and forward it to the unions in the coming days, paving the way for the signing of new, sustainable agreements that will usher in a new era of industrial harmony and uninterrupted academic calendars across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.