Federal Government Refutes Signing Any Formal Agreement with ASUU Amidst Nationwide Protests

Education Minister Addresses ASUU Strike Concerns

In response to the ongoing nationwide demonstrations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has publicly clarified that the Federal Government has not entered into any binding agreement with the union. Speaking to the press, Dr. Alausa emphasized that the document circulating as an agreement is, in fact, only a draft and not a finalized contract.

Government’s Stance on Sustainable Solutions

Contrary to some public perceptions, the government remains steadfast in its pursuit of a durable resolution to the issues raised by ASUU. President Bola Tinubu has explicitly tasked the Ministry of Education with crafting a long-term strategy that ensures uninterrupted academic activities for Nigerian students. Dr. Alausa highlighted that the administration is focused on agreements that are both legally sound and practically enforceable, steering clear of any “unsustainable or superficial” arrangements.

Ongoing Dialogue and Preventing Escalation

Despite ASUU’s recent threats to initiate another strike due to unmet demands, the government assures that the situation will not escalate into a full-scale work stoppage. Continuous and detailed negotiations have been held with the union to address their concerns comprehensively. Dr. Alausa remarked, “We are determined to resolve this issue once and for all, addressing the unresolved matters lingering since the 2009 and 2021 accords in a sustainable manner.”

High-Level Stakeholder Engagement

On Thursday, a high-profile meeting convened to deliberate on the persistent challenges affecting university staff and universities-geh-geh-blessing-ceo-clampdown/” title=”Academics Call for Tough Action Against Geh Geh and Blessing CEO Over 'Fake …' Scandal”>academic operations. The gathering included the Minister of State for Education, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation. Additionally, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Labour, and Justice were present, alongside leaders from pivotal agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Budget Office.

Commitment to Fulfilling Promises

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the President’s commitment to honoring all assurances made to ASUU and the Nigerian populace, emphasizing transparency and integrity in the process. This renewed dedication aims to prevent recurrent disruptions in the academic calendar and improve the welfare of university lecturers nationwide.

Context and Current Developments

ASUU’s strikes have historically disrupted academic progress in Nigeria, with the most recent protests threatening to further delay the academic calendar. According to recent data, over 1.5 million university students have been affected by strikes in the past decade, underscoring the urgency for a lasting resolution. The government’s current approach reflects lessons learned from previous agreements that failed to deliver sustainable outcomes.