FG, ASUU Begin Final Round of Talks to Avert Imminent Strike
The Federal Government said it has commenced the final phase of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other tertiary education unions.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Conditions of Service of ASUU.
Alausa expressed optimism that outstanding issues would soon be resolved to prevent further industrial action.
He said the group was finalising a counteroffer to be presented to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiations Committee..
According to him, the committee’s work aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all efforts must be made to keep Nigerian students in school and avoid disruptions to the academic calendar...
The minister noted that about 80 per cent of the unions’ demands were similar across tertiary institutions, with the remaining 20 per cent reflecting sector-specific concerns.
He said that the committee, inaugurated earlier in the week, had begun intensive deliberations to fast-track agreement and implementation timelines.
He added that this present administration had made significant progress already with the payment of the Earned Academic Allowance of ₦50 billion released by Tinubu.
Alausa also confirmed that promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances, including teaching and wage awards, had been addressed, while all remaining areas would be cleared by 2026.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to mutual respect and sustainable solutions, he appealed to academic and non-academic unions to exercise patience and avoid strikes as a first resort...