Education Minister Tunji Alausa has assured the public that the Federal Government is actively working to prevent another round of strikes in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, as tensions escalate with multiple academic unions threatening industrial action.
Speaking in an interview with The Nation on Sunday, Alausa revealed that the government is engaged in comprehensive negotiations with various unions and urged those that have issued strike notices to reconsider their positions while discussions continue.
The situation has become increasingly tense as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics confirmed that its 21-day ultimatum, issued after a National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on August 14, expired on Sunday night. ASUP President Shammah Kpanja indicated that while the union has held several meetings with government representatives and scheduled five additional sessions, the outcome of these talks will determine their next course of action.
Similarly, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics issued a 21-day strike notice during its 77th General Executive Council meeting in Kano, effective from August 27. The Academic Staff Union of Universities has also escalated pressure, staging a nationwide protest on August 26 and holding branch chairman meetings to deliberate on future steps, according to ASUU President Christopher Piwuna.
Despite mounting pressure from multiple unions, Minister Alausa emphasized the administration’s commitment to keeping students in classrooms. He disclosed that he has expanded the Yayale Ahmed committee to include representatives from all academic unions, ensuring coordinated rather than fragmented negotiations.
The minister explained that the government is pursuing a holistic approach to address common demands across unions, including NEEDS Assessment funding, improved conditions of service, and wage balance adjustments for 2025. He noted that previous administrations had conducted parallel negotiations with different unions despite their similar demands, leading to disjointed solutions.
Alausa stressed that President Bola Tinubu has mandated him to resolve these longstanding issues comprehensively, emphasizing that the administration will not make unrealistic promises simply to avert strikes. He highlighted that these problems have persisted for approximately 16 years and require thorough, sustainable solutions.
The unions’ demands include multiple financial and policy issues. ASUU is seeking conclusion of renegotiated agreements, release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, funding for university revitalization, and resolution of third-party deductions. ASUP demands include release of academic allowance circulars, salary review arrears, dual mandate structures for polytechnics, and NEEDS Assessment interventions. SSANIP is calling for new service conditions, renegotiation committee establishment, and payment of various arrears including promotion and wage awards.
The minister assured unions of easy access to his office and emphasized that the government believes in transparent communication throughout the negotiation process. He appealed for patience while the administration works to resolve these issues definitively, expressing determination to prevent future administrations from facing similar challenges.
