Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa has urged university-based unions to keep talking with the Federal Government and avoid actions that could disrupt academic activities.
He made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the renegotiated agreements between the Federal Government and unions in tertiary institutions.
Alausa said President Bola Tinubu is committed to keeping his administration’s promises to Nigerians. He also called on stakeholders to work together for the successful implementation of the agreements.
The minister warned against misinformation and actions that could create disaffection among Nigerians.
“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.”
He urged stakeholders to judge the administration’s performance against its campaign promises. He also thanked officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, heads of tertiary institutions and union leaders for their role in the renegotiation process.
The Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, Yayale Ahmed, asked the unions not to take the President’s commitment for granted. He warned that threats of industrial action should not derail implementation.
According to Ahmed, the renegotiated agreements mark the start of another phase of engagement. Their success, he said, will depend on the government’s willingness to implement and the unions’ readiness to be patient.
“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,” he said.
The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation admitted that the negotiations were tough. He credited the outcome to mutual respect, collective bargaining and concessions from both sides.
Ahmed also disclosed that some discrepancies had been found in parts of the agreements. He said the Minister of Education and the relevant wages commission were willing to review them so that no union feels aggrieved.
He appealed to the unions to let government processes run their course and warned against threats of indefinite strikes over outstanding payments.
The National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Muhammed Ibrahim, commended the Federal Government for progress on workers’ demands. He said it had brought fresh optimism to university employees.
Ibrahim praised Alausa for engaging union leaders even before he took office. He recalled that the minister’s intervention helped clear some outstanding salary payments, which excited university workers.
He, however, urged the minister to ensure that other unions whose agreements are yet to be formally processed get their documents without delay.
According to him, the pending agreements and circulars have created tension among affected workers.
Ibrahim assured the government that the unions are willing to contribute to national development.
The implementation of the agreements is expected to be a major test of the government’s engagement with the unions. Stakeholders want industrial harmony across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
