Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has appealed to all academic and non-academic unions in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to continue embracing dialogue and cooperation as ongoing negotiations on improved welfare and working conditions advance.
The appeal was made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, during a briefing in Abuja, where he reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that students must remain in school while the government works to resolve long-standing industrial disputes in the sector.
“President Tinubu has directed that our children must remain in school. We must do everything humanly possible to avert strikes,” Dr. Alausa 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.”
The Minister 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 will soon be submitted to the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led Expanded Negotiation Committee for harmonization and presentation to all parties.
Dr. Alausa explained that, unlike previous administrations, the current government has adopted a unified negotiation framework that consolidates 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 said.
He highlighted the Technical Working Group’s composition, which includes 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, noting that the group has been extensively deliberating to finalize the government’s position on reviewed conditions of service.
The Minister also underscored major achievements to date, including the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, the release of ₦50 billion for arrears and allowances, and a budgetary provision of ₦150 billion for the Needs Assessment Fund, to be disbursed in three tranches of ₦50 billion this year, 2025. He confirmed the resolution of promotion arrears and wage award issues, with full implementation planned.
“The inclusion of the Solicitor-General and officials from the Ministry of Justice marks a new era of accountability. Every agreement will be legally sound, transparent, and enforceable,” Dr. Alausa stated.
Also present at the briefing were the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, OON, mni, who all reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to lasting industrial peace in the education sector.
“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,” the Minister 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 sustainable agreements that will ensure uninterrupted academic calendars across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
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