ABUJA — Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has appealed to academic unions in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to shelve their strike plans, assuring that the Federal Government is addressing their demands through ongoing holistic negotiations.
Speaking with The Nation on Monday night, Alausa said government was committed to keeping universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education open, stressing that dialogue remained the best option.
“I have met with them and assured them that the government is working to meet their commitment. They have given us proposals and we are working to put the Federal Government’s responses back. Whatever we do, we have to do it holistically,” Alausa said.
The minister revealed that President Bola Tinubu has mandated him to resolve the lingering crisis once and for all, noting that the government would not rush into “bogus agreements” just to avert strikes.
“Everybody knows President Tinubu. When he makes promises, he fulfills them. We are not a government that, for the sake of averting strike, will sign unrealistic agreements. This is a government of truthfulness and mutual respect,” he declared.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) have all threatened strikes over unmet demands. ASUP’s 21-day ultimatum expired last night, while SSANIP’s notice runs till September 17. ASUU, which staged a one-day protest on August 26, is consulting its branches before announcing its next move.
Their demands range from salary arrears, renegotiation of agreements, revitalisation funds, and improved working conditions to an end to the dichotomy against HND holders.
Despite the threats, Alausa maintained that government was already tackling many of the issues, including conditions of service and funding, but asked for patience.
“These are problems that have gone on for at least 16 years. We are determined to resolve them once and for all, but we cannot rush. They should give us time,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has reaffirmed its plan to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Wednesday if government fails to meet its welfare demands, raising fears of a looming shutdown in the health sector.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said there had been “no positive response” to their 10-day ultimatum, warning that Nigeria’s healthcare system could face a total breakdown.
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