AfriPulse
The Federal Government last night urged university lecturers to embrace constructive consultation instead of confrontation over the issues relating to their declared dispute with the authorities.
It said having agreed to most of the terms of the lecturers’ requests, there was no need for their union to abandon talks and declare a two-week warning strike.
The government told lecturers that the “no work, no pay” principle remains an existing labour law that could be invoked should the strike disrupt academic activities.
While government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will equally enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system and ensure accountability,” a statement by the Ministry of Education said.
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday asked their members to down tools for two weeks from today in a warning strike against what it called the government’s failure to meet its outstanding demands.
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It warned that the strike could subsequently become indefinite
Should the strike hold, academic activities in public universities will be disrupted.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, said most of the requests had been met during negotiation.
It was learnt that the two ministers, the permanent secretaries in the ministries of Education and Labour, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, officials of the Salaries and Wages Commission, among others, participated in the negotiation with ASUU where the offers were made.
An official asked: “What do the lecturers want? The government put all cards on the table and made offers that addressed almost all the requests, yet representatives of ASUU said they would go away with the offers before making known their response. But, they never did.
“Instead, they make good their strike threat. There is more to this.”
A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, on behalf of the two ministers, said the Federal Government has made a comprehensive offer to the union and, up till now, is still awaiting ASUU’s official response.
They stressed that the offer addresses the union’s major concerns, including conditions of service, institutional governance, and staff welfare.
“All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those that are within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled.
“The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received,” the statement added.
They emphasised that the Federal Government has approached the matter with demonstrable commitment and sincerity, evident in its prompt policy responses and financial interventions in the education sector.
“However, ASUU has not reciprocated this gesture and appears determined to proceed with the planned strike despite the pending offer and ongoing engagement.”
The ministers reaffirmed that the Tinubu Administration remained unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian lecturers and the stability of the university system.
They noted that the ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening to ensure sustainable academic excellence.
While reaffirming the administration’s respect for university autonomy, the ministers clarified that certain aspects of ASUU’s demands—particularly those relating to internal governance, appointments, and promotions—are statutory responsibilities of university governing councils.
They urged the union to allow these matters to be handled appropriately at the institutional level in line with existing regulations.
The ministers further assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains open to constructive engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders in the education sector.
They noted that the administration’s consistent interventions demonstrate a clear commitment to revitalising universities, improving staff welfare, and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.
“The government has shown sincerity and commitment through a series of engagements and policy actions.
We are confident that with continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school.
“The future of our children and the stability of our universities must take priority over disputes.
“The Federal Government remains open to discussion and is ready to work with ASUU to consolidate the gains already achieved in staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms.”
The demands’
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, insisted that the strike was inevitable due to the government’s alleged insensitivity and failure to implement agreements reached with the union.
He said the two-week warning strike could be escalated if the government fails to address the union’s seven-point demands.
The demands are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, improved funding for public universities, revitalisation projects, an end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members in certain institutions, payment of outstanding salary arrears and promotion arrears, and remittance of third-party deductions.
Prof. Piwuna said the strike directive followed a 14-day ultimatum that expired yesterday.
He urged Nigerians to prevail on the government to resolve the lingering issues “for the soul of public education in Nigeria.”
Last night, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) said they were not part of the strike.
They made this known in a statement by National President Dr. Niyi Sunmonu.
Source: Goldmyne.tv | Read the Full Story…
