Abuja: The Nigerian Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve its planned strike, stating that it is looking into the union’s proposal, aimed at addressing all outstanding demands. The Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, made the plea in Abuja on Wednesday during a media briefing on the progress of ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the university unions.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the government has reconstituted and inaugurated the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The Minister highlighted that the government is finalising the components of the condition of service that ASUU has proposed, with the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Committee expected to present the Federal Government’s counter-offer soon.
ASUU had issued a 14-day ultimatum, set to expire on Sunday this week. The Minister noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all efforts must be made to avoid another disruption to academic activities in the nation’s tertiary institutions. Alausa emphasized that the President has mandated the government to work tirelessly to develop a robust but affordable response to the unions’ demands.
The Minister urged ASUU and other unions to prioritize dialogue over strike action, acknowledging their patience and recognising that the issues have persisted for over a decade. He assured that President Tinubu’s administration is committed to resolving these matters comprehensively and affordably.
Alausa explained that a unified approach has been adopted to ensure efficiency in the negotiation process for tertiary institutions, replacing earlier fragmented methods. The ongoing negotiations aim to address both the common and unique demands of the unions, with the new committee actively engaging to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Several steps have been taken by the government to demonstrate commitment, including the allocation of N50 billion for earned academic allowances and N150 billion in the 2025 budget for revitalisation efforts. The Minister affirmed that promotional arrears and wage issues are being resolved, with a promise that all arrears will be cleared by next year.
Discussions on new conditions of service for the Union are nearing conclusion, marking the final phase of the negotiation process. The government remains sincere and committed to resolving these longstanding issues to ensure seamless academic activities on campuses.