Education Minister calls for talks, urges unions to avoid strikes

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has asked university unions to keep talking with the Federal Government. He wants them to avoid actions that could disturb academic work. Alausa said President Bola Tinubu is serious about keeping his promises to Nigerians.

Alausa made this call on Tuesday in Abuja. He spoke during the presentation of new agreements between the Federal Government and unions in higher education. He asked all parties to work together to make sure the agreements are carried out successfully.

The minister warned against false information and actions that could cause problems among Nigerians. He said the government is determined to meet its promises.

He said, “We have a President who did not make campaign promises merely to win an election. He made those promises with the intention of working decisively to fulfil them once sworn into office.”

Alausa encouraged everyone involved to look at the government's performance based on its campaign promises. He highlighted the need for ongoing discussions to tackle issues in the education sector.

He also praised the work of officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, heads of universities, and union leaders in the negotiation process. Their teamwork was key in reaching an agreement.

Earlier, Yayale Ahmed, the Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, advised the unions not to take the President’s commitment lightly. He warned that threats of strikes should not stop the implementation of the agreements.

Ahmed said the new agreements are just the start of more discussions. He stressed that success will depend on the government’s willingness to carry out the agreements and the unions’ patience.

He said, “The most important thing is for us to have a seamless agreement collectively, and that the government is not only willing but comfortable with ensuring implementation to the letter.”

The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation noted that negotiations have not been easy. He said the outcome came from mutual respect, bargaining, and compromises from both sides.

He added that the government and the unions need to understand that negotiations require give-and-take. Union leaders have shown responsibility by protecting their members' interests while also considering the government’s side.

Ahmed revealed that some issues in the agreements still need to be fixed. He mentioned that the Minister of Education and the relevant wages commission are open to reviewing them so that no union feels wronged.

He urged the unions to let the government processes take their time and warned against making threats of indefinite strikes over unpaid salaries.

Also, the National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Muhammed Ibrahim, praised the Federal Government for making progress on workers' demands. He said these developments have brought hope to university workers.

Ibrahim thanked Alausa for talking to union leaders even before he took office. He recalled how the minister’s involvement helped solve some overdue salary payments.

He said the recent payments have excited university workers and called this a good change in their situation.

However, the SSANU president asked the minister to ensure that other unions, whose agreements are still pending, get their documents quickly.

He said the delays have caused worry among affected workers and called on the ministry to speed things up.

Ibrahim assured the government that the unions want to help with national development. He argued that addressing university workers' issues would also help solve larger problems in the country.

The presentation of the new agreements is another step in resolving long-standing issues between the Federal Government and unions in higher education about worker welfare, service conditions, and other job-related matters.

The success of these agreements will be a big test for the government’s relationship with the unions, especially as everyone aims to keep peace in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.