By Muhammad Mamman
The Federal Government has pledged to bring an end to the protracted 16-year dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), promising a future of uninterrupted learning for Nigerian students.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the commitment in a statement released on Friday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo. He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has instructed the ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders, to deliver a deal that is realistic, affordable and constitutionally compliant.
“The era of unsustainable agreements that collapse and trigger fresh disputes is over,” Mr Alausa declared, stressing that the process is being handled with “the highest level of diligence, accountability and honesty of purpose.”
Mr Alausa further revealed that he and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, have been directed by President Tinubu to work closely with ASUU and all relevant bodies to secure a lasting resolution. He assured Nigerians that the recent wave of ASUU protests would not escalate into strike action, as the government has maintained constructive engagement with the union.
Progress, he noted, has already been recorded on earned academic allowances, while the outstanding 25/35 per cent wage arrears will soon be paid alongside other entitlements owed to public sector workers.
A high-level meeting held at the ministry on Friday, with officials from the Ministries of Labour and Justice, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, the National Universities Commission (NUC), TETFund, the Budget Office, and the Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, reviewed ASUU’s proposals line by line.
To move negotiations forward, a technical committee led by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Abel Enitan, has been tasked with drafting a new agreement, which will then be presented to the Yayale Ahmed-led Committee for further discussions with ASUU. Importantly, the Ministry of Justice will now be fully involved to ensure the final agreement aligns with constitutional provisions.
“With mutual respect and sustained dialogue, we are confident of delivering a solution that will end the cycle of strikes and disruptions,” Mr Alausa said. “President Tinubu firmly believes that young people are the heartbeat of this nation, and he is determined to keep our children in school.”
