The Federal Government (FG) has assured Nigerian students that the ongoing protests by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will not result in another round of strikes.
Minister of State for Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja after a high-level meeting with key government officials to review ASUU’s demands.
“This government does not want strikes. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu strongly believes that young people are the heartbeat of this nation, and he is determined to keep our children in school,” Alausa said.
He disclosed that President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Education to collaborate with relevant agencies to develop a lasting and constitutionally compliant framework that will end the cycle of academic disruptions in public universities.
According to Alausa, the administration will not sign “unsustainable agreements,” but will instead pursue accords that are practical, affordable, and implementable.
“Nigerians can be assured that this process is being handled with diligence, accountability, and honesty of purpose,” he added.
The minister further revealed that progress had been made on major issues, including the mainstreaming of earned academic allowances.
He also assured that the outstanding 35 percent wage arrears owed to lecturers would be settled once payments to other categories of public servants commence.
To consolidate negotiations, the Ministry of Education has set up a technical committee led by the Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to prepare a revised draft agreement.
The draft will be submitted to the Yayale Ahmed-led negotiation team, with the Ministry of Justice now involved from the onset to ensure all accords are legally binding.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Labour, Education, and Justice, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Permanent Secretaries, as well as the Executive Secretaries of the NUC and TETFund, the Budget Office, and the Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
The ministry urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as the government works to produce a sustainable solution that will put an end to recurring disputes with ASUU.