The Nigerian Federal Government has announced that it has entered the crucial, final stage of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other associated unions representing staff in tertiary institutions. The goal of these intensive discussions is to resolve long-standing disputes and, critically, avert another damaging nationwide strike that would once again cripple the university academic calendar.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, confirmed the development during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on the Conditions of Service for ASUU, held on Wednesday in Abuja. Dr Alausa stressed the seriousness of the government’s approach, noting that President Bola Tinubu has issued a clear mandate that Nigerian students must remain in school without interruption. To this end, the technical group has been working to finalise a comprehensive counter-offer regarding the contentious conditions of service, which is a key component of the dispute. The Minister expressed optimism that this counter-offer would be presented to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiations Committee either by the end of today or, at the latest, tomorrow.
The current tensions are rooted in decades of strained relations, primarily due to the government’s failure to fully implement the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement. This landmark agreement promised significant improvements in university funding, better welfare and conditions for lecturers, and essential infrastructure upgrades. Despite repeated promises, subsequent governments have repeatedly stalled these vital reforms. The frustration over these unresolved commitments led ASUU to issue a 14-day ultimatum last month, threatening a two-week warning strike, which would then escalate into an indefinite shutdown of public universities if their demands were not addressed.
Dr Alausa detailed the substantial progress the administration claims to have made already in addressing the unions’ financial concerns. He highlighted that the President has approved and released N50 billion for the immediate payment of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) owed to both academic and non-academic university staff. Furthermore, the 2025 national budget includes an additional N150 billion earmarked for needs assessment projects within tertiary institutions. This sum will be disbursed in three distinct tranches, with the first N50 billion tranche already prepared for release.
Addressing the issue of outstanding financial obligations, the Minister confirmed that promotion arrears and various other allowances, including teaching and wage awards, have been resolved. He committed that all remaining outstanding arrears would be cleared by 2026. Dr Alausa explained that while the lecturers deserve significantly higher remuneration, the government cannot meet every request simultaneously. He maintained, however, that the current administration is showing sincere commitment and benevolence through these substantial financial gestures.
In a move to ensure that any future compromise holds legal weight, Dr Alausa confirmed that the Solicitor General of the Federation and officials from the Ministry of Justice are now directly involved in the negotiation process. This ensures that any agreement reached is legally sound and enforceable, demonstrating the government’s commitment to sustainable, long-term reform within the nation’s tertiary education sector. Finally, the Minister made a plea to the academic and non-academic unions, urging them to exercise patience and avoid industrial action while the government works diligently to conclude the final phase of these crucial negotiations.
