There’s Federal Government has assured the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of its commitment to sustained dialogue to address workers’ welfare concerns and legitimate demands.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Muhammad Dingyadi, gave the assurance while declaring open NASU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dingyadi said the government recognised NASU’s critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of educational institutions and remained committed to improving workers’ welfare through constructive engagement and collective bargaining.
“We are going to be transparent. We are going to be committed to the welfare of the workers, and we will ensure that we provide the best we can within the limits of international standards,” he said.
The minister assured the union of his readiness to listen to workers’ concerns, stressing that his doors remained open to NASU and other labour unions in the education sector.
“My doors are always open. We will continue to work with you and other unions in the sector to address your legitimate demands through social dialogue and collective bargaining,” Dingyadi said.
He said he had participated directly in negotiations with labour unions and the signing of agreements aimed at addressing workers’ concerns. He added that President Bola Tinubu remained committed to workers’ yearnings and aspirations.
“I am not only involved in these negotiations; I am part and parcel of them. I was present when these agreements were signed, and we wanted to ensure that workers were satisfied with what we were providing,” he said.
Dingyadi said the government was working to sustain industrial peace and harmony, noting that NASU members played essential roles in providing administrative, technical and maintenance services in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
He acknowledged the economic challenges confronting workers and said the government had implemented the N70,000 national minimum wage while pursuing additional measures to improve their welfare and purchasing power.
The minister urged NASU to sustain dialogue, collective bargaining and tripartite engagement as effective mechanisms for resolving industrial disputes. He also encouraged members to promote efficiency, accountability and high ethical standards in discharging their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, said the institution had commenced payment of two months’ outstanding contract arrears owed to workers engaged through its internally generated revenue.
Fawehinmi said the payment followed the receipt of government funds and an agreement reached with the union. He added that the university management was also addressing issues relating to staff conversion, upgrading and promotion to improve workers’ motivation and productivity.
The vice-chancellor explained that the measures were part of the institution’s efforts to address staff concerns and strengthen industrial relations. He stressed the importance of cooperation between management and the union in maintaining a conducive working environment.
Earlier, NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, thanked Dingyadi for attending the meeting despite his busy schedule. He described the minister’s presence and willingness to listen to workers as examples of the fatherly leadership needed by labour unions.
“We need a father who will not run away when his children are in trouble. Honestly, I cannot imagine how easy it is to run the Ministry of Labour and Employment at this time, when workers across the country have numerous issues requiring attention,” Adeyemi said.
Adeyemi urged the minister to sustain engagement with labour unions, stressing that listening to workers was essential to understanding and addressing their concerns.
