The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is taking steps to avert looming strikes in universities and polytechnics.
In an interview with The Nation on Sunday, Alausa explained that the government was engaged in “holistic negotiations” with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and other academic unions. He appealed to unions that had already served strike notices to suspend their plans, stressing that efforts were ongoing to meet their demands.
Tension heightened on Sunday after ASUP confirmed that its 21-day ultimatum issued on August 14 had expired. ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, disclosed that several meetings had been held with government officials, with more scheduled in the coming days to determine the union’s final decision. Similarly, SSANIP had earlier issued a 21-day strike notice effective from August 27, while ASUU staged a nationwide protest on August 26 over unresolved issues.
Despite the growing pressure, Alausa maintained that the Tinubu-led administration is committed to ensuring academic stability. He revealed that the government had expanded the Yayale Ahmed Committee to accommodate all academic unions, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement that would address long-standing concerns such as conditions of service, salary arrears, the 2009 renegotiation agreement, revitalisation funds, and the proliferation of universities and polytechnics.
The minister emphasized that unlike previous administrations, the government would not make unrealistic promises just to avert strikes. Instead, it would approach the negotiations truthfully and sustainably, considering limited resources and competing national needs.
“President Bola Tinubu has mandated us to keep our children in school, and that is what we are working towards,” Alausa said, adding that the government had already addressed some “low-hanging” demands and was updating unions on progress.
Unions have tabled several demands, including unpaid salaries, withheld allowances, review of agreements, revitalisation funding, and implementation of promotion arrears. Alausa urged them to exercise patience, assuring that the administration was determined to resolve these issues once and for all.
