The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called on unions within Nigeria’s university sector, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), to focus on the welfare of students rather than resorting to industrial action as a primary solution to unresolved issues.
Speaking at the 359th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of SSANU in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa acknowledged the unions’ frustrations over previous unfulfilled government agreements but assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to honoring its obligations. He emphasized that the administration is prepared to make challenging decisions for long-term national benefits.
“President Bola Tinubu is a democrat,” Alausa said, “He will work to meet his obligations and agreements with you. He has promised to be honest and to make tough decisions that were needed decades ago.”
Alausa highlighted how past government expenditures, such as fuel subsidies and artificially supported exchange rates, drained resources, impacting the education sector. The minister urged unions to collaborate with the government, announcing a negotiation committee led by notable Nigerians, including former Head of Service Alhaji Yahaya Ahmed, to foster a cooperative approach to resolving issues.
Former Nigeria Labour Congress president Ayuba Wabba also addressed the delegates, underscoring the financial costs of strikes, such as the 2012 petroleum subsidy strike, and called for reform in collective bargaining to foster trust and prevent industrial actions. He suggested adopting a formal structure similar to South Africa’s Labour Council to improve government-union dialogue.
SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim echoed the need for a shift in the perception of unions as “strike-happy.” He noted that the conference’s theme, “Respecting Collective Bargaining Agreements and Industrial Peace in a Democracy,” reflects SSANU’s commitment to industrial harmony and prioritizing student welfare.
The conference encouraged both government and unions to embrace transparent and respectful negotiations to advance the welfare of students and the nation’s education system.
